A judge of Pakistan's apex court allegedly earns more than Rs1.7 million a month, including benefits, according to several social media accounts.
According to Geo Fact Check, the assertion is true.
Claim
According to a tweet by an internet user from January 27, a judge of the Supreme Court is paid 1.8 million rupees per month.
The user also gave a breakdown, in which he claimed to have included an Rs 800,000 salary, Rs 370,000 in housing rent, 600 liters of gasoline, two chauffeurs, two luxury cars, Rs 5,000 in daily travel expenses, and discounted airline tickets.
"But Pakistan is ranked 139th globally in the rule of law rating," says the statement.
Other online users made accusations that a judge earns about Rs 1.6 million monthly.
Fact
It is accurate to say that the current monthly remuneration of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, including benefits, is about Rs 1.7 million.
Under the condition of anonymity, a senior Ministry of Law and Justice official revealed over the phone to Geo Fact Check that the top court's judges each receive Rs 967,638 while the chief justice receives Rs 1,024,324 per month.
He added that it is true that the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan at present earns a monthly salary of over Rs 1.7 million, including perks and privileges.
The official revealed to Geo Fact Check that the Supreme Court's judges, including the chief justice, are also entitled to a monthly superior judicial allowance of Rs 428,040.
Additional monthly benefits for judges include 600 liters of petrol and two chauffeur-driven 1,800-cc cars, while the chief justice is given a 2,400-cc car. Then there is Rs. 68,000 for housing rent and Rs. 8,000 daily for out-of-city travel.
A second official with knowledge of the matter, who also wished to remain anonymous, verified that a Supreme Court judge receives Rs 69,035 in medical benefits each month. But none of the officials could provide a judge with the precise sum that had been paid out for phones and electricity.
As a result, the monthly total of the salary and benefits is just over Rs 1.7 million.
The house rent, automobile allowance, superior judicial allowance, and cost of living allowance shall not be taxed, in accordance with the President's Order No. 2 1997, which addresses the apex court judges' leave, pension, and privileges.
In order to verify the data, Geo Fact Check has addressed a written questionnaire to the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (AGPR).
The Legal-II Section Accounting Officer of the AGPR replied that Geo Fact Check should speak with the Supreme Court of Pakistan in place.
An AGPR representative told on the phone that this information "was privileged" and could not be shared by the AGPR, but that the Ministry of Finance might be able to help.
When Geo Fact Check contacted the Ministry of Finance, it was directed back to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Geo Fact Check also sent a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan's registrar on March 27 but hasn't heard back.
According to Geo Fact Check, the assertion is true.
Claim
According to a tweet by an internet user from January 27, a judge of the Supreme Court is paid 1.8 million rupees per month.
The user also gave a breakdown, in which he claimed to have included an Rs 800,000 salary, Rs 370,000 in housing rent, 600 liters of gasoline, two chauffeurs, two luxury cars, Rs 5,000 in daily travel expenses, and discounted airline tickets.
"But Pakistan is ranked 139th globally in the rule of law rating," says the statement.
Other online users made accusations that a judge earns about Rs 1.6 million monthly.
Fact
It is accurate to say that the current monthly remuneration of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, including benefits, is about Rs 1.7 million.
Under the condition of anonymity, a senior Ministry of Law and Justice official revealed over the phone to Geo Fact Check that the top court's judges each receive Rs 967,638 while the chief justice receives Rs 1,024,324 per month.
He added that it is true that the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan at present earns a monthly salary of over Rs 1.7 million, including perks and privileges.
The official revealed to Geo Fact Check that the Supreme Court's judges, including the chief justice, are also entitled to a monthly superior judicial allowance of Rs 428,040.
Additional monthly benefits for judges include 600 liters of petrol and two chauffeur-driven 1,800-cc cars, while the chief justice is given a 2,400-cc car. Then there is Rs. 68,000 for housing rent and Rs. 8,000 daily for out-of-city travel.
A second official with knowledge of the matter, who also wished to remain anonymous, verified that a Supreme Court judge receives Rs 69,035 in medical benefits each month. But none of the officials could provide a judge with the precise sum that had been paid out for phones and electricity.
As a result, the monthly total of the salary and benefits is just over Rs 1.7 million.
The house rent, automobile allowance, superior judicial allowance, and cost of living allowance shall not be taxed, in accordance with the President's Order No. 2 1997, which addresses the apex court judges' leave, pension, and privileges.
In order to verify the data, Geo Fact Check has addressed a written questionnaire to the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (AGPR).
The Legal-II Section Accounting Officer of the AGPR replied that Geo Fact Check should speak with the Supreme Court of Pakistan in place.
An AGPR representative told on the phone that this information "was privileged" and could not be shared by the AGPR, but that the Ministry of Finance might be able to help.
When Geo Fact Check contacted the Ministry of Finance, it was directed back to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Geo Fact Check also sent a letter to the Supreme Court of Pakistan's registrar on March 27 but hasn't heard back.