ISLAMABAD: Already paid more than other civil servants, all Supreme Court employees from BS-1 to BS-22 will enjoy more than double the salary announced by the government in Budget 2023-24. Like all other government employees, the Supreme Court employees will not only get a 30-35% hike in their pay as announced in the budget but a recent internal notification of the Supreme Court has also given them a basic pay scale 2022.
Supreme Court employees are already getting paid more than other civil servants because of the Special Judicial Allowance, which is equivalent to the three initial basic pay of the 2022 pay scales. The additional addition raised eyebrows as per the Supreme Court’s notification on May 31. The government, which had been expecting the Supreme Court to contribute to the austerity measures announced by the Prime Minister a few months ago. In view of the serious financial crisis facing the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced austerity measures to save money in a press conference in February this year, requesting that “the federal cabinet and I request the Chief Justice of Pakistan I hereby request that the Chief Justices and Courts of the four provinces and the Chief Ministers implement similar measures in their institutions and governments.
On 31 May 2023, nine days before the presentation of the Budget 2022-23, the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued a notification signed by Syed Sher Afghan, Deputy Registrar (Admin). The notification reads as follows: “Dated 07.02.2023, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan exercised the powers vide Finance Division (Expenditure Wing) O.M.No.F.1 (S)R in continuation of notification of even No. 12 /18 dated 24th November 1993 read with Rule 4 of the Supreme Court Establishment Service Rules, 2015, has been pleased to unfreeze the Special Judicial Allowance which was admissible to the employees equal to a preliminary basic pay in the pay scales of 2017 ( BPS 1)-22) Supreme Court of Pakistan allowed them to draw Revised Special Judicial Allowance equal to one initial pay of Pay Scales 2022 with effect from 01.05.2023.
“2. He shall continue to receive the revised Special Judicial Allowance equal to the three initial basic salaries of the pay scales of 2022 and the same shall remain frozen at this level till further orders, and the expenses involved shall be met from his sanctioned budgetary grant. Will go to the court
“3. This matter is proceeding with the approval of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Sources said that the said notification will only allow a minimum increment of Rs 45,000 to Rs 122,190 per month from BS-17 to BS-22. In addition to this increase, all employees of the Supreme Court will get the 30 to 35 percent increase announced in the budget.
The government has announced a 30 per cent hike for BS-17 to BS-22 officers, while 35 per cent hike will be given to BS-16 and below officers. Sources also said that the increase granted by the Supreme Court is also exempt from income tax.
