Minimum Wage in Pakistan 2026 — Province-by-Province Reference
The minimum wage in Pakistan 2026 is set province-by-province. Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Islamabad Capital Territory each publish their own rate. This is the authoritative 2026 quick reference for HR and payroll teams.
2026 Minimum Wage — Province-by-Province Table
| Province / Territory | Monthly Minimum Wage (PKR) | Category | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | PKR 37,000 | Unskilled workers | July 2025 |
| Sindh | PKR 37,000 | Unskilled workers | July 2025 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) | PKR 37,000 | Unskilled workers | July 2025 |
| Balochistan | PKR 37,000 | Unskilled workers | July 2025 |
| Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) | PKR 37,000 | Unskilled workers | July 2025 |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) | PKR 37,000 | Unskilled workers | July 2025 |
Note: All provinces aligned to the federal floor of PKR 37,000/month for unskilled workers (FY 2025-26). Skilled and semi-skilled categories carry higher rates notified separately by each province. Verify against the latest provincial notification before applying.
Province-specific guides
- Minimum Wage Punjab 2026 — Full Guide
- Minimum Wage Sindh 2026 — Full Guide
- Minimum Wage KPK 2026 — Full Guide
- Minimum Wage Balochistan 2026 — Full Guide
- Minimum Wage Islamabad (ICT) 2026 — Full Guide
Why minimum wage is provincial
Since the 18th Constitutional Amendment, labour is a devolved (provincial) subject. Each province sets its own minimum wage for unskilled workers through its Minimum Wages Board under the Minimum Wages Ordinance 1961 and applicable provincial labour laws. Revisions typically happen in the annual budget cycle (June-July for the new fiscal year starting 1 July).
What minimum wage applies to
- Unskilled workers — the base published rate
- Skilled workers — higher rates per skill category, notified separately
- Apprentices — typically a percentage of the unskilled rate
- Domestic workers — separately notified in some provinces
What it does NOT apply to
- Government employees — separate salary scales (BPS)
- Managerial and supervisory staff — typically above minimum by definition
- Specific exempted sectors — check the relevant provincial notification
How minimum wage affects payroll
EOBI contribution basis
EOBI contribution is calculated on the minimum wage (not the actual salary) for most insured persons. When minimum wage changes, the EOBI contribution amount changes automatically. See: EOBI guide.
Provincial social security (PESSI / SESSI / KPESSI / BESSI)
Provincial SS contributions use the insurable wage, often tied to minimum wage with adjustments. All downstream social security calculations change when minimum wage is revised.
Overtime rate
Overtime is a multiple of the ordinary hourly rate. For minimum-wage workers, the overtime base also changes on revision. See: overtime guide.
What to do when minimum wage is revised
- Check the provincial notification for the effective date
- Update payroll software with the new rate for the relevant province
- Revise salary structures for employees at minimum wage
- EOBI and PESSI/SESSI contribution amounts recalculate automatically if your software supports it
- Issue a salary revision letter to affected employees
- Apply from the effective date — back-pay if the notification was retrospective
Common minimum-wage mistakes
- Applying the Punjab rate to operations in Sindh (or vice versa)
- Not updating payroll on annual revision — paying below the new minimum
- Hard-coding the rate in payroll instead of making it configurable
- Forgetting that EOBI contribution amount changes with minimum wage
- Missing back-pay when revision is retrospective
Zaffre HRM and minimum wage compliance
Zaffre HRM lets you configure the minimum wage per province. When the rate is revised, you update one setting and all downstream EOBI, social security, and overtime calculations adjust automatically. Book a demo.
Important caveat
Minimum wage rates are revised annually and sometimes mid-year by gazette notification. Always verify the current provincial notification before applying any rate published here. Consult your labour-compliance advisor for specific cases.