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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), in its meetings, had dismissed a reference moved by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) against the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, and members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
In an announcement, SJC explained that in its meetings held on Nov 8, 2024 and Dec 13, 2024, the council had taken up the reference moved by the PTI against CEC and members Nisar Ahmed Durrani and Shah Muhammad Jatoi but rejected it after due consideration.
The announcement, made through a press release, stated that pursuant to the SJC’s decision, the decision be made public and placed on the official website of the Supreme Court of Pakistan: “Complaint No. 532/2021/SJC, 557/2022/SJC, and 563/2022/SJC against CEC and members of the ECP.
In its reference, PTI alleged that the CEC and ECP members had failed to fulfill their constitutional responsibility of conducting free and fair elections.
SC announces new policies on judges’ leave, foreign travel, vehicle use, and security
The reference, filed on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub, stated that ECP had deliberately violated its constitutional obligation under Article 224 by failing to hold elections to the National Assembly and provincial assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) within 90 days.
The PTI pleaded for an inquiry into the alleged misconduct of the CEC and ECP members, arguing they should be removed from their offices if the charges were substantiated.
The reference had alleged that the commission failed to conduct elections in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the National Assembly within the constitutionally mandated 90-day period.
SC policy decisions
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also issued a number of policy decisions taken between Oct 26, 2024 and Aug 12, 2025. One such decision, reflected in a General Standing Order dated July 29, 2025, amended the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) Order, 1997, empowering the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to grant or refuse leave, whether within or outside Pakistan, or to revoke or curtail leave already granted to judges of the court.
As a matter of settled principle, the entire time of a judge is at the disposal of the State/Supreme Court — including leave, vacations and holidays —therefore, it is essential to regulate the powers of the CJP through a Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs), to be exercised with due diligence and in the public interest.
All kinds of leave must be sought in advance with cogent reasons. For foreign travel, a “No Objection Certificate” (NOC) will be sought from CJP, the policy said.
To manage the rising pendency of cases and to ensure work-life balance, private foreign visits or overseas trips may be undertaken by judges only during their summer vacation or winter holidays, for which an NOC of CJP will be required, the policy added.
Foreign visits outside vacation periods will be permissible only for specific purposes such as religious pilgrimages, official nominations, receipt of international awards or honours, personal or dependents’ medical emergencies, or children’s graduation ceremonies.
The policy explained that a judge proceeding on leave or vacation must provide his current address and contact details—either personal or through a designated contact person.
In case of official visits abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be requested to provide the necessary facilitation and protocol, it added.
Regarding the use of official vehicles, the policy explained that under the Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) Order, 1997, judges are entitled to the use of two official cars up to 1800cc. One vehicle will serve as the ‘primary car’ (for official purposes), and the other as the ‘secondary/family car.’
Both vehicles will be maintained at government expense under the court’s budget. Petrol, oil, and lubricants (POL) will be provided for both vehicles up to 600 liters per month (subject to prescribed ceiling or actual use), on certification by the judge’s Private Secretary, as decided by the Full Court on Jan 20, 2010.
Each judge will be entitled to two drivers—one from the court’s regular staff and another on a contingent basis. In exceptional or urgent circumstances, a third car may be provided, subject to availability, with the Registrar’s approval for a maximum of two weeks. In any case, a third car cannot be retained beyond eight weeks in a year.
Regarding security escort vehicles, the CJP will be entitled as per the Blue Book under the supervision of the Chief Security Officer (CSO). Each judge will be entitled to one trained gunman and one escort vehicle, arranged by the Islamabad Police at the Principal Seat, or by provincial police if the judge is in a provincial jurisdiction.
If additional security is required due to any threat, the CJP may approve a second escort vehicle.
About post-retirement transport entitlement: each regular judge, upon retirement, may retain the primary car for a maximum of one month. After this period, the vehicle will be returned to the court’s pool.
Each retired judge will be entitled to purchase either the primary or secondary car at depreciated value, as per existing government policy, provided they have not availed this facility before.
All costs relating to procurement, maintenance, fueling, and operation of official vehicles, as well as driver salaries, will be met from the sanctioned court budget under the relevant heads.
Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2025
