ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Friday ordered the auction of luxury vehicles sanctioned for the use of chief justice of Pakistan and to utilise the proceeds for the much-needed public transport.
In a letter addressed to the secretary Cabinet Division and chief secretary Punjab, the Supreme Court registrar said Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa had learnt that the Supreme Court had purchased about Rs61 million worth of a new Mercedes Benz (2,996CC sedan) for the use of chief justice. It was further stated that a brand-new bullet-proof Toyota Land Cruiser (Registration No. LEG-500) was also provided by the Punjab government for the chief justice, which was parked at the Supreme Court Rest House in GOR, Lahore. The letter further said the chief justice and every judge had been provided with two vehicles as per rules. It was informed that Justice Isa had not used the Mercedes sedan or Toyota Land Cruiser.
“It is an inappropriate splurge of scarce public resources to buy imported luxury vehicles for the use of constitutional and public office-holders,” the letter stated and directed that these vehicles may be collected and auctioned and the money realized from the sale be spent on the much-needed public transport.