SC judges’ pay, benefits raised to FCC-level

President Asif Ali Zardari has endorsed a hike in the salaries, allowances, and pension benefits of Supreme Court judges, aligning them with those of judges at the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The change, set to take effect from December 10, 2025, will see the monthly salary of Supreme Court judges raised from Rs1.16 million to Rs1.5 million.

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, however, will receive a monthly salary of Rs1.6 million, despite the order designating it as Rs1.55 million. This enhanced salary is due to Afridi's designation as Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Afridi will retain the CJP title until his mandatory retirement on October 26, 2027. The amendment, introduced through the 27th Constitution Amendment, specifies that the incumbent CJP will continue to hold the title until his superannuation.

The title will be subsequently awarded to the senior of the two chief justices - the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the FCC Chief Justice. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that the office of CJP has not been abolished and that Afridi will continue to head key judicial bodies post-retirement. The enhanced allowances and pension benefits for judges were approved through separate orders, with the Chief Justice of Pakistan Order, 2026 and the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) (Amendment) Order, 2026 coming into effect from July 1, 2026 and December 10, 2025, respectively. These amendments also address the medical allowance and pension calculations for judges.