KARACHI: Hashmat Habib President Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz Adlia (TTA) said that government should stop illegal gratification to judges and bring these judges monthly salary payable to Grade 22 Officer without any perks and privileges and also no protocol. He said judges hardly work three hours 5 days of week. Door of corruption until closed Pakistan will neither prosper nor rule of law as we dream can be achieved which is open corrupt practice under garb of Judiciary.

He said acting President committed illegality by raising 20 percent salaries in absence of President which is absolutely un-justified and abuse of authority therefore, we  condemn it and demand its forthwith withdrawal.

He said 5th schedule of Constitution has determined salaries of Chief Justice and judges of Supreme Court as well as Chief Justice and Justices of High Court which can only be revised by Constitutional Amendment. Rise of salary with back door play is plunder of exchequer and bribing persons who are Strangers to Judiciary without their Oath on Holy Quran but occupying position of judge. He disclosed that according to 5th schedule of Constitution Chief Justice’s minimum amount is Rs 7,000 per month and maximum Rs 9,900 pm and other judges are entitled minimum amount of Rs 6,250 pm and maximum amount Rs 7,125 pm. Similarly High Court judges entitled minimum of Rs 5,640 pm and maximum amount Rs 9,400 pm while other judges are entitled minimum of Rs 5,040 pm and maximum Rs 6,300 pm.

He said it’s unfortunate that acting President raised salaries to Rs 12,91,289 pm for CJP and for remaining judges Rs 11,61,163 while our international rating of justice has gone lower than 139. Lawyer said perks and privileges available to court strangers even include superior judiciary allowance of Rs 4,80,408 and other monthly perks include. Other monthly perks include 600 litres of petrol and two 1800cc chauffeur-driven vehicles for judge, while Chief Justice is allotted 2400cc vehicle. Then there is Rs 68,000 for house rent and Rs 8,000 daily travel allowance if they go out of city.

He said acting President’s raise in Supreme Court Judges remuneration is strongly condemned and demanded its immediate withdrawal along with other un-necessary perks and privileges and withdrawal of protocol forthwith. Hashmat Habib observed that government should stop bribing judges for their malafide objects. He said alleviation of each judge is not engagement of an employee; therefore, he should be given fix remuneration in accordance with Constitution not more than that. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 08 2023

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