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Thursday, November 7, 2024

Pakistani Gov. Hikes Judges’ Salaries and Allowances

The significant increase in salaries and allowances for Pakistan's Supreme Court and high court judges has sparked public debate amid economic challenges.

The federal government has approved substantial salary and allowance hikes for Supreme Court and high court judges. A notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, signed by acting president Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani on November 4, confirmed that Supreme Court judges’ house rent allowance would increase from Rs68,000 to Rs350,000 per month. The superior judicial allowance has also been raised from Rs428,040 to Rs1,061,163. These changes amend paragraphs 20 and 22 of the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension, and Privileges) Order, 1997.

This comes after an earlier decision this week to increase the house rent and salaries for high court judges. Sources indicated that the move was prompted by the Islamabad High Court’s request to the law ministry, highlighting the rising rental costs in the capital over the years.

High Court Judges’ Salaries Surge

For high court judges, the government’s notification specified a raise in the house rent allowance from Rs65,000 to Rs350,000. Additionally, the superior judicial allowance has increased from Rs342,431 to Rs1,090,000. These revised figures could push a high court judge’s total monthly earnings past Rs2 million. The policy also includes instructions for high courts to establish guidelines regarding the use of official vehicles, covering aspects such as fuel, maintenance, drivers, and inter-bench travel.

These developments have drawn attention due to the stark contrast between the judiciary’s increased financial benefits and the broader economic challenges faced by the public.

Criticism and Public Response

The significant salary hikes for judges have sparked debate and criticism. While proponents argue that the increase is justified by the rising cost of living and the need to maintain judicial independence, critics view it as an inappropriate allocation of resources amid economic difficulties. A substantial portion of the population continues to struggle with inflation and rising living costs, which has fueled public skepticism over prioritizing such increases.

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Musings on the fairness of these raises have intensified, with some questioning the timing and necessity of the move. Public discourse underscores a broader debate on balancing the welfare of state officials against economic pressures affecting the general populace.