CJP Isa surrenders luxury vehicles

Issues directives to spend money generated from auction on 'much-needed public transport'

ISLAMABAD:

Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa directed the auction of two high-end vehicles, allocated for his use by both the federal and Punjab governments.

Terming this allocation an "inappropriate splurge of scarce public resources," the CJP directed for the luxury vehicles to be auctioned and to redirect the funds generated from the auction towards much-needed public transportation.

"It is an inappropriate splurge of scarce public resources to buy imported luxury vehicles for the use of constitutional and public office holders,” a letter sent by the SC registrar to the federal government cabinet secretary and Punjab chief secretary stated.

The letter highlighted that in September 2020, the Supreme Court had acquired a new Mercedes Benz, 2996 CC sedan, valued at approximately Rs61 million for Justice Isa's use.

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Additionally, the Punjab government had provided a brand-new bullet-proof Toyota Land Cruiser for the CJP’s use, currently parked at the Supreme Court Rest House in GOR, Lahore.CJP Isa has used neither of the luxury vehicles.

While the CJP and every Judge are entitled to two vehicles as per regulations, Justice Isa refrained from using either the provided Mercedes sedan or the Toyota Land Cruiser.“The Chief Justice and every Judge has been provided two vehicles as per the rules.

Justice Isa has not used the said Mercedes sedan nor the Toyota Land Cruiser.”Justice Isa assumed office as the 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan in September this year, succeeding his predecessor, Umar Ata Bandial. However, his tenure as the country's chief justice will be relatively short-lived, with plans to retire from the position on October 25, 2024.

Notably, he had previously taken the oath as a judge of the apex court on September 5, 2014.On his inaugural day as the country's top judge, CJP Isa marked history by presiding over a full court hearing concerning a series of petitions challenging the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 that was broadcast live on national television channels.