Since the 18th Amendment devolved labour to the provinces, there is no single national minimum wage in Pakistan. Instead, each provincial Minimum Wage Board recommends a figure that the government notifies in its official gazette. The federal budget headline is only a signal - the binding number is the provincial notification. This guide sets out the 2026 provincial rates in one table, explains the law behind them, and walks you step by step through enforcing your wage if an employer underpays you.
Minimum wage 2026 by province
These are the monthly minimum wage rates for unskilled adult workers, based on the latest provincial notifications issued during 2025 for the 2025-26 wage year and carrying into 2026:
| Province / Territory | Unskilled monthly minimum | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab | PKR 40,000 | Notified 2025 |
| Sindh | PKR 40,000 | Notified 2025 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | PKR 40,000 | Notified 2025 |
| Balochistan | PKR 37,000 | Carried forward |
| Islamabad (ICT) | PKR 37,000 | Federal rate |
The minimum wage is a monthly figure based on 26 working days. In Punjab the PKR 40,000 rate works out to about PKR 1,538 per day and PKR 192 per hour for unskilled workers. It is a floor, not a ceiling - no employer may lawfully pay below it, and any contract that does is void to that extent.
Skilled and semi-skilled rates
The headline figure covers unskilled labour. Provincial boards notify higher floors for semi-skilled and skilled categories, and these vary by trade. Exact numbers change with each notification, so treat the figures below as indicative and verify against your provincial gazette:
| Worker category | Indicative monthly floor (Sindh example) |
|---|---|
| Unskilled | PKR 40,000 |
| Semi-skilled | around PKR 38,200 |
| Skilled | around PKR 45,910 |
Because skilled-worker floors differ between provinces and industries, confirm the notified rate for your category before relying on it. If you are unsure how your role is classified, our labour law compliance service can review your pay slip and contract.
The law that sets minimum wage
The foundational statute is the Minimum Wages Ordinance 1961, read with the West Pakistan Minimum Wages Rules 1962. After devolution, provinces enacted their own laws that sit alongside it - the Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015, the Punjab Minimum Wages Act 2019 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minimum Wages Act 2013. Each creates a Minimum Wage Board that reviews rates, usually once a year, and recommends them to the provincial government for notification.
Key protections you should know:
- Section 9-A, Ordinance 1961: the government appoints an Authority to hear and decide claims for non-payment or delayed payment of wages.
- Section 9(3): an employer who pays below the notified minimum can face a fine, up to six months imprisonment, or both, plus payment of the arrears owed to the worker.
- Rules 21 to 23, 1962 Rules: Labour inspectors may visit workplaces, check wage records, and receive worker complaints about non-compliance.
For the wider framework of workplace rights that sits on top of the wage floor, see our overview of labour laws in Pakistan.
How to enforce your minimum wage
If your employer pays below the legal floor, you have a clear escalation path. Move in order, keeping written proof at every stage:
| Step | What to do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raise it in writing with your employer; keep pay slips, contract and a record of hours worked | Employer / HR |
| 2 | Serve a grievance notice within 90 days of the grievance arising | Employer |
| 3 | Complain to the Labour inspector about non-compliance | Provincial Labour Department |
| 4 | File a claim for unpaid wages before the appointed Authority | Section 9-A Authority |
| 5 | If unresolved, file a grievance petition in the Labour Court | Labour Court / NIRC |
Timing matters. Under the Industrial Relations Act 2012, a grievance petition generally has to reach the forum within roughly two months and fifteen days after the grievance notice, or it can be time-barred. Do not let deadlines slip. Our step-by-step guide to the labour court grievance procedure explains the paperwork, and the Labour Courts and NIRC guide shows which forum hears your case.
Minimum wage is only the floor
The notified wage is your starting point, not your full entitlement. On top of it, the law adds overtime, benefits and end-of-service dues. Underpaying the base wage often signals other violations too - unpaid overtime, missing EOBI contributions, or no gratuity. If you are checking your pay, check these as well:
- Overtime rules in Pakistan - double pay for hours beyond the legal limit.
- Gratuity rules - what you are owed at the end of service.
- EOBI guide - pension contributions your employer must pay.
- Employment contract guide - what your written terms must contain.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Pakistan for 2026?
PKR 40,000 per month for unskilled workers in Punjab, Sindh and KP, and PKR 37,000 in Balochistan and Islamabad. Provinces notify their own rates, so check your provincial gazette.
Is the minimum wage the same everywhere?
No. Each province fixes and notifies its own figure after the 18th Amendment, which is why Punjab, Sindh and KP differ from Balochistan and ICT.
Does it apply to daily-wage and contract workers?
Yes. The floor applies to unskilled adult workers regardless of whether they are permanent, daily-wage or on contract. It is calculated on 26 working days.
What happens to an employer who underpays?
Under Section 9(3) of the Minimum Wages Ordinance 1961, an employer can face a fine, up to six months imprisonment, or both, and must pay the arrears owed.
How long do I have to complain?
Serve a grievance notice within 90 days of the grievance, and file any petition within the Industrial Relations Act 2012 timeline - broadly two months and fifteen days after the notice. Act early.