Minimum wage is not something fancy its just a bare minimum to survive, in simple its the lowest pay that a worker should legaly get for their work. In Pakistan this amount often sparks debate. Is it fair? Is it enough? For 2024–25, the government has increased it up to Rs. 37,000 a month. Sounds like progress, but in a country where inflation keeps climbing and bills pile up fast, does this raise actually help anyone?  Can a household survive on this? Is it enough in cities where rents alone eat half your salary? Let’s have a look at what’s changed whats the wage stands across provinces and what it really means for workers trying to get by.

What is the Current Minimum Wage in Pakistan (2024–25)?

As of July 2024 the minimu monthly wage for unskilled workers is Rs 37,000 as per the Government of Pakistan officiall announcement. This amount only applies across areas that are under federall goverment and also a benchmark for provinces to update their own wage boards.

In 2023,  the minimum wage was Rs.32,000, the latest hike of Rs. 5,000 brings it to Rs. 37,000, which is about a 15.6% increase. When we see this on paper that sounds like huge progress. But with inflation still biting, electricity price increasing, and grocery prices rising almost weekly, that extra money doesn’t stretch far for most households.

👉 Source: Government of Pakistan Finance Division

Minimum Wage by Province (2024–25)

Each provinces set their own wages based on cost of living and local labor demands. Here’s a quick look:

Each region sets wages based on its own economy. Gilgit-Baltistan, for example, usually offers lower pay because there are fewer industries and smaller cities. But that also means workers there often face more hardship.

Average Wage vs Minimum Wage in Pakistan

The minimum wage in Pakistan for 2024–25 stands at Rs. 37,000 per month, but according to Salary Explorer, Pakistan’s average monthly salary is about Rs 82,100, with a median of Rs 70,700, reflecting a wide income range across different sectors. . That’s almost double. The gap gets wider in urban areas, where skilled workers in sectors like finance, IT, or healthcare earn far more than those on daily wages. On the other hand  rural or unskilled laborers often earn close to the bare minimum. This increasing divide between average wage and minimum wage highlights rising income inequality.

Let’s break it down:

• Urban areas: Average salary ranges between Rs. 60,000–70,000
  
• Rural areas: Average salary often remains below Rs. 35,000
  
• Skilled workers: Electricians, plumbers, and drivers may gets Rs. 45,000+
  
• Unskilled workers: Helpers or loaders usually get Rs. 25,000–37,000
  

It’s just an estimate based on job listings, market averages, and Salary Explorer data. Actual salaries vary by city, employer, and experience level.

Minimum Wage Trends in Pakistan (Past 5 Years)

Let’s have a look how minimum wage has changed over time.

Source: Paycheck

For years, wage barely increases but in 2024, the government made its biggest increament yet. Still  people needs to know did this raise actually help? With rising inflation the new wage hardly makes a dent.

Labour Laws & Wage Policies in Pakistan

Wages in Pakistan are set under the Minimum Wages Ordinance, 1961, and revised by provincial wage boards. Each province has the legal authority to suggest and notify its own minimum wage based on cost of living, inflation, and labor market data.

Here’s how it works:

• Federal government announces a base wage for federal areas.
  
• Provinces set their own wages through their labor departments.
  
• Employers are legally bound to pay at least the minimum.
  
• Workers can report wage violations through labor courts.
  

But enforcement still needs action. Many private companies and factories, especially in informal sectors don’t cooperate and workers often lack th awareness to fight back. That’s a big gap between policy and reality.

Real Life Experience

26 years old, Khurram Ali told us that he works 12 hour shifts at an embroidery shop in Lahore, earning around Rs. 40,000 per month. He has four members family, including his ailing mother. After basic expenses like rent, groceries, and bills, his pockets are usually empty by the third week.

“The boss says Its more than minimum wage, but it’s not even enough,” he said

Despite the 2024 wage hike, people like Khurram are struggling to just stay alive. His story shows what most of the people face long hours working, rising costs, and pay that doesn’t even fulfill real life expenses. For many workers, the new minimum still feels far from livable.

Expert Opinions

• Dr. Pervez Tahir, Senior Political Economist:

“Minimum wage is neither funded nor enforced. In the private sector, a vast majority of workers do not get the minimum wage. Living costs have increased at a much higher rate than the minimum wage” (Express Tribune).

• Speaking to The Express Tribune, PILER Executive Director Karamat Ali says that 80 percent of unskilled workers are not receiving the minimum wage… He projected that each worker should receive at least Rs 50,000 a month to afford essential things and services such as food, clean drinking water, education and healthcare services.

FAQs

1. What is the minimum wage in Pakistan in 2025?

As per federal government notification the minimum wage for 2024-25 is Rs. 37,000 per month. Provinces have their own figure.
2. Is the new wage enough for a decent living?
Not really. In major cities, cost of living easily exceeds Rs. 50,000/month for a family, rs. 37,000 may cover basics for a single person, but not a household.

3. Who decides the minimum wage in Pakistan?
Each provincial wage board sets the wage after consulting stakeholders like employer unions and labor representatives. The Federal Ministry of Human Resource Development sets the benchmark for national or federal areas.

4. What is the average income in Pakistan?
The average income in Pakistan is about Rs.80,000/month, but many workers earn far less than that.

5. How does Pakistan’s wage compare to other countries?
Pakistan’s minimum wage is lower than many countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, but a little bit higher than Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

So, Pakistan is competitive, but the real problem is inflation, not just wage comparison.

Final Thoughts

The jump from Rs. 32,000 to Rs. 37,000 in 2024 is one of the largest wage hikes in Pakistan’s history. It shows some political will, but the real test is in enforcement and impact. If groceries keep rising and landlords charge half your pay for rent, how much does that raise really help?

The labor market is still uneven. A lot of people, especially unskilled workers, women in domestic jobs, or those in rural areas, still earn below the legal wage. And without strict checks, laws alone won’t fix that.

Call to Action

What do you think the current minimum wage is enough to cover basic needs?
What’s your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section.