ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has approved an 85 percent uniform increase in the house rent ceiling for all categories of federal government employees, following a summary moved by the Finance Division.

Under the revised structure, the rental ceiling for Grade 1–2 employees in Islamabad will be Rs13,004 per month, and Rs12,193 for other cities. For Grades 3–6, the limit has been set at Rs20,313 in Islamabad and Rs17,860 elsewhere. Employees in Grades 7–10 will be entitled to Rs30,346 in Islamabad and Rs27,162 in other cities. For Grades 11–13, the ceiling will now be Rs45,776 in Islamabad and Rs39,705 in other cities, while employees in Grades 14–16 will receive Rs57,507 and Rs50,198, respectively. The new rates for senior officers have also been substantially increased: for Grades 17–18, the ceiling will be Rs76,122 in Islamabad and Rs66,411 in other cities; for Grade 19, Rs101,202 and Rs88,610; for Grade 20, Rs127,095 and Rs109,296; for Grade 21, Rs152,183 and Rs131,548; and for Grade 22, Rs182,121 in Islamabad and Rs165,076 in other areas.

The proposal was circulated among cabinet members on October 30 and received approval the next day. As per the established procedure, the summary was endorsed by the Prime Minister after clearance by the circulation committee, while the Cabinet Division will now transmit the official minutes to the Ministry of Housing and Works.

Officials from the Housing Ministry said the written minutes of the decision have yet to be received. Once they arrive, a formal notification implementing the revised ceiling is expected next week.