Citizens write to the Chief Justice of Pakistan

Mr. Justice Yahya Afridi                                                       November 11, 2024

Honorable Chief Justice

Supreme Court of Pakistan,

Constitution Avenue, Islamabad

Promoting economic wellbeing and reducing disparity in the income of the people. (Article 38 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan)

Dear Mr. Chief Justice,

Assalam-o-alaikum

As citizens for peace, progress and wellbeing of Pakistan and its people – especially the disadvantaged, exploited and underpaid, may we be allowed to bring the following issues for your kind consideration.

Your Honour, Pakistan faces an existential economic crisis.  As our country sinks into a deeper debt trap, our government is compelled to launch a new ‘austerity drive’ every few weeks.  Thus, in these frugal times, the government’s raising the salary of each Honorable Supreme Court and High Court judge by over Rs1 million per month, is perceived as untimely and excessive.  Besides pushing the country into deeper economic quagmire and the poor into greater poverty, its timings could be misconstrued as an attempt to influence the ‘potential beneficiaries’ on matters of important petitions.

Your Honour, here is an example to illustrate how the UK attempts to create a more equitable society by managing the perks and salaries of its officials.

1. In UK, the ratio between the salary of Supreme Court Chief Justice and an ordinary janitor is 1and 11. In Pakistan, this ratio is 1:150
2. In UK, the ratio between the pension of Supreme Court Chief Justice and an ordinary janitor is 1:4. In Pakistan, this ratio is 1: infinity (as 90 percent workers are not registered with EOBI and hence will never receive any pension at all)
3. A serving judge of UK gets no house allowance, free vehicle, free petrol, electricity, gas, etc. In sharp contrast, the judges in Pakistan receive monumental welfare conveniences without any reservations.
4. A retired Supreme Court judge in UK, besides pension, receives no perks whatsoever, except for the entitlement of being addressed as Lord or Lady.

Your Honour, may we request you to kindly appreciate that millions of poor are deprived of even their legal minimum wage.  To quote just one example, ( SSWMB 9th Nov 24 Iqbal Day ), in Karachi alone,  12,000 sanitation workers  receive Rs18,000 per month and are forced to work for 30 days, including holidays such as the Iqbal day.

Your Honour, may we be permitted to suggest that in keeping with the spirit of equity, justice and the collective conscience of the Honorable Judges, the benefits recently offered may kindly be reconsidered. This compelling honorable act could be a turning point in establishing a new tradition of highest ethical standards, consideration for the tax payers’ money and respect for the Honorable judiciary of Pakistan.

Respectfully,

Javed Jabbar,                          Dr. Naseem Salahuddin               Naeem Sadiq

Senator (r)                                 Physician                                        Citizen