Govt raises SC judges' perks retrospectively

The federal government has raised the salaries, judicial allowances and pension-related benefits of Supreme Court judges with effect from December 10, 2025. President Asif Ali Zardari approved an increase in SC judges' salaries to match those of Federal Constitutional Court judges. The revised salaries and allowances will be paid from the retroactive date, meaning SC judges will receive the enhanced benefits for the intervening period.

The chief justice of Pakistan's monthly salary will rise to Rs1.55 million, while other SC judges will receive Rs1.5 million per month. The basic salary for SC judges has been increased from above Rs1.1 million to Rs1.5 million. Judicial allowance for SC judges has also been raised from Rs1,161,163 to Rs1.5 million, as per Presidential Order No. 2 of 1997.

The pension-related provisions for SC judges have been revised, with 'seventy' changed to 'seventy-five' and 'eighty-five' changed to 'ninety' in the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) Order, 1997. SC judges will now be entitled to a monthly medical allowance of Rs150,000. President Zardari also approved an increase in the salaries of high court judges, set to take effect from July 1, 2026.

The revised monthly salary for a high court chief justice will be Rs1.254 million, while other high court judges will receive Rs1.205 million per month. High court chief justices who have served for over two years will be eligible to purchase a vehicle at its depreciated price upon retirement or elevation to SC or FCC. Retired judges undertaking arbitration work for the federal government may charge fees for extensive work.