NA Body Seeks Enforcement Of Minimum Wages
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Sep, 2026) The National Assembly Standing Committee on Government Assurances directed the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to ensure the enforcement of minimum wages for paramedical staff working in private hospitals and health establishments in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), through existing legal frameworks.
The Committee expressed grave concern over reports of non-payment of minimum wages to paramedical staff in private healthcare facilities. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, Member National Assembly (MNA), at Parliament House, and focused on an assurance given by the Minister for National Health Services regarding wages paid to paramedical staff in private hospitals in Islamabad.
The Ministry of National Health Services claimed that the issue fell outside their jurisdiction and that of the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), being under the ICT Labour Welfare Department's control. The ICT Labour Welfare Department explained that it was responsible for implementing the Minimum Wages Ordinance and the West Pakistan Shops and Establishments Ordinance in Islamabad, but there were no specific provisions for setting and enforcing minimum wages for paramedics in private hospitals.
They further noted that establishments providing medical or care services were exempt from these laws. A representative from the Ministry informed the Committee that hospital registration by IHRA would commence within a week, potentially resolving the minimum wage issue.
The Committee also discussed an assurance related to the financial burden on members of the Pakistan Hockey Squad participating in the Asian Champions Trophy 2024. They instructed the Ministry and Pakistan Sports Board to ensure sports federations offer full support to Pakistani athletes. According to the information provided, both entities had allocated grants totaling Rs 96 million (Rs 59 million from IPC and Rs 37 million from Pakistan Sports Board) to the Pakistan Hockey Federation in the fiscal year 2023-24, in addition to other financial aids.