ISLAMABAD, June 6: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Assembly discussed on Wednesday the salary structure of judges.

Replying to a question during discussion on audit paragraphs related to the ministry of law and justice for 2006-07, Law Secretary Yasmeen Abbasi informed the committee that besides accommodation and transport and free telephone, a judge of the Supreme Court drew Rs600,000 per month.

When Noor Alam Khan of the PPP asked if judges of superior judiciary were allowed special protocol on roads, causing traffic congestion, the official said she was against the VIP culture and was trying to discourage this practice.

Mr Khan also wanted to know the number of judges who had been held accountable on charges of corruption or misconduct.

The secretary said there were many, but at the moment she was not in possession of official record to answer the question.

At this point, Abid Sher Ali of PML-N intervened and asked PAC Chairman Nadeem Afzal Gondal to discourage any discussion on conduct of judges.

Accepting this advice, Mr Gondal stopped Mr Khan who wanted to ask more questions about perks and privileges of Supreme Court’s judges.