Title: Major Increase in Salaries and Perks of Pakistan’s Superior Court Judges Raises Questions

Summary:

Major Increase in Salaries and Perks of Superior Court Judges

The salaries and benefits of judges of Pakistan’s superior courts have been substantially increased, raising questions about the widening gap between the remuneration of judges and that of other court employees.

The salaries and allowances of Supreme Court judges have been brought in line with those of judges of the Federal Constitutional Court. President Asif Ali Zardari approved the summary on the recommendation of the federal government.

The revised salaries and allowances for Supreme Court judges will take effect retrospectively from December 10, 2025. Judges will also receive the financial benefits and arrears accumulated for the previous period. Following approval, the notification will be referred to as the Supreme Court Judges’ Salary Order 2026.

Under the revised package, the monthly basic salary of the Chief Justice of Pakistan has been fixed at Rs1.55 million, while the basic salary of other Supreme Court judges has been increased to Rs1.5 million. Their previous basic salary of Rs1.1 million has therefore increased by approximately Rs400,000 per month.

The judicial allowance has also been significantly increased from Rs1,161,163 to Rs1.5 million, representing an additional monthly increase of around Rs339,000.

The package also introduces changes to the pension structure. The age limits mentioned in the relevant pension provisions have been increased from 70 to 75 years and from 85 to 90 years. Supreme Court judges will additionally receive a monthly medical allowance of Rs150,000.

High Court Judges Also Receive Salary Increase

A separate summary concerning the salaries of High Court judges has also been approved. The revised salaries will take effect from July 1, 2026.

Under the new package, the monthly basic salary of a High Court Chief Justice has been fixed at Rs1.254 million, while other High Court judges will receive a basic salary of Rs1.205 million.

The basic salary of High Court judges was previously Rs1.095 million, meaning they will receive an increase of approximately Rs110,000 per month.

A new facility has also been introduced for judges who have served as Chief Justice for more than two years. In the event of retirement or elevation to a higher court, they will be allowed to purchase their official vehicle at a concessional price.

Retired judges may also be permitted to receive fees for serving in arbitration proceedings involving the federal government.

Questions Over Salary Disparity

The substantial increase in judicial salaries has sparked debate over the treatment of other employees of the superior judiciary. While judges have received major increases in salaries, allowances and benefits, many members of the Supreme Court staff continue to work on their previous pay scales.

Journalists recently questioned a senior staff officer attached to the Chief Justice about why the salaries of court employees had not been increased alongside those of judges and whether such disparity was consistent with Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. The officer reportedly declined to comment.

The issue has also prompted criticism from sections of the media, with some commentators describing the timing of the increases as politically controversial and questioning whether such substantial benefits are appropriate amid the country’s economic difficulties.

The debate ultimately raises a broader question: if inflation and rising living costs justify major increases for judges, should similar considerations not also apply to the employees who support the functioning of the judiciary?

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