Chief justice's pension hiked to Rs2.39m in 2024, Senate told

The Ministry of Law and Justice on Tuesday submitted a written response in the Senate during the question hour, providing details of the pension and perks of a chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) after retirement, as well as benefits provided to widows of the top jurists.

The law minister apprised the parliament's upper house that the pension of the top judges was increased from Rs560,000 to Rs2.39 million between 2010 and 2024.

In 2010, a retired chief justice's pension stood at Rs560,000 per month, which rose to Rs644,000 in 2011, Rs773,000 in 2012, Rs850,000 in 2013, Rs935,000 in 2014, Rs1.005 million in 2015, Rs1.105 million in 2016, Rs1.217 million in 2017, and Rs1.338 million in 2018.

The pension reached Rs1.452 million in 2021, Rs1.657 million in 2023, and increased to Rs2.39 million in 2024.

The ministry also presented details of perks given to a top jurist's widow, which include the provision of a driver and a domestic servant.

Furthermore, 2,000 electricity units per month, free water supply, 300 litres of petrol per month, and exemption from income tax were also included in the perks.

In November last year, the federal government significantly increased the salaries and allowances of superior judiciary judges.

According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the house rent of Supreme Court judges has been increased from Rs68,000 to Rs350,000.

Similarly, the superior judicial allowance of the judges has also been increased from Rs428,040 to Rs1,161,163.

Likewise, the government also increased the house rent and judicial allowances of the high court judges.

According to the notification, the house rent has been increased from Rs65,000 to Rs350,000, while the judicial allowance increased from Rs342,431 to Rs1,090,434.