LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa has asked Chief Secretary Punjab to explain the unnecessary use of public resources and setting up of illegal guards at the residences of government officials in Lahore.
The Registrar of the Supreme Court has written a letter to the Chief Registrar expressing concern over the unnecessary expenditure around the residences of government officials.
The registrar said the chief justice heard cases from April 15 to 19 at the Lahore High Court office, during which he stayed at the Chief Justice’s residence at the Government Officers’ Residence (GOR).
The letter said that during CJP Isa’s stay, he noticed that changes were being made in the residences of government officials and illegal guard rooms were set up in the open green area despite a complete control system at the entrance. He said the guard must be on the premises of the residence where he was required.
He ordered the provision of rules and regulations regarding the government residences, their construction and the construction of their walls.
This is not the first time he has come out in favor of austerity measures for government officials.
On December 1, 2023, CJP Isa ordered the auction of two luxury vehicles allocated for his use by the federal and Punjab governments, saying it was an “inordinate waste of scarce public resources”.
In a letter sent by the SC registrar to the federal cabinet secretary and Punjab chief secretary, the bureaucrats were told that the apex court had purchased a new Mercedes Benz, 2996 CC Sedan for Rs 61 million for the CJP in September 2020.
“A brand new bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser, registration number LEG-S00, has also been provided by the Government of Punjab for the use of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, which is parked at the Rest House of the Supreme Court at GOR, Lahore,” the letter said.
The letter stated that each judge of the high court was given two vehicles as per the rules.
CJP seeks explanation over unnecessary use of public resources on govt officers’ residences
