CJP seeks explanation over unnecessary use of public resources on govt officers’ residences

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has sought an explanation from the Punjab chief secretary on the unnecessary use of public resources and establishment of illegal guard rooms in government officers’ residencies in Lahore.

The registrar of the Supreme Court wrote a letter to the chief secretary, expressing concern over unnecessary expenditure around government officers’ residences.

The registrar said that the top judge heard cases from April 15 to 19 at the Supreme Court Registry, Lahore, during which he stayed at the Chief Justice Rest House in Government Officers Residence (GOR).

The letter said that during the stay, CJP Isa observed that changes were being made in government officers’ residences and illegal guard rooms had been established in the open green area despite a complete checking system at the entrance. He said the guard must be in the premises of that residence where he was required.

The letter questioned whether it was justifiable to waste public resources on the walls of government residences. “Why the past example of fencing is abandoned, your answer will be awaited,” the CJP asked in the letter.

He directed to provide rules and regulations regarding government residences, their construction and construction of their walls. This is not the first time that Isa has spoken for adoption of austerity measures for government officers. CJP Isa on December 1, 2023, ordered the auction of two luxury vehicles allocated for his use by the federal and Punjab governments, saying it was an “inappropriate splurge of scarce public resources”. In a letter sent by the SC registrar to the federal government cabinet secretary and Punjab chief secretary, the bureaucrats were told that the apex court had purchased a new Mercedes Benz, 2996 CC Sedan for Rs61 million for the CJP in September 2020.

“A brand-new bullet-proof Toyota Land Cruiser, Registration No LEG-S00, was also provided by the Government of Punjab for the use of chief justice of Pakistan, which is parked in the Supreme Court Rest House in GOR, Lahore,” the letter had said. The letter had stated that every judge of the apex court had been provided two vehicles as per rules. “Justice Isa has not used the said Mercedes sedan nor the Toyota Land Cruiser,” it had added. It further stated that it was an “inappropriate splurge of scarce public resources to buy imported luxury vehicles for the use of constitutional and public office holders”.