The Lahore High Court (LHC) has made history by implementing its first-ever expenditure reduction policy in 150 years, spearheaded by Chief Justice Aalia Neelum. In a groundbreaking move, government vehicles assigned to Grade 20 and 21 officers will be withdrawn and replaced with monthly cash allowances for fuel and maintenance. A formal monetization policy notification has been issued, marking a decisive shift toward fiscal discipline in the judiciary.
Under the new policy, Grade 20 officers will receive Rs. 65,960 per month, while Grade 21 officers will get Rs. 77,430. The allowance for Grade 19 officers remains under discussion with the Finance Department. Sources reveal this initiative is projected to save millions of rupees monthly—funds previously spent on vehicle upkeep. Additionally, the LHC may revise its five-year service policy for peons, which currently provides motorcycles and 50 liters of petrol.
Chief Justice Neelum’s reforms aim to balance judicial efficiency with financial transparency. Her administration has emphasized both timely justice delivery and institutional austerity. The legal community has widely applauded the measures, with Supreme Court Advocate Chaudhry Naseer Kamboh noting the dual benefits of reduced national expenses and streamlined court operations.
Former Supreme Court Bar Association President Ahsan Bhoon described the policy as “an exemplary administrative decision” amid Pakistan’s economic challenges, urging other institutions to emulate the LHC’s model. This initiative sets a new benchmark for governance, demonstrating how judiciaries can lead by example in fiscal responsibility while upholding public trust in the justice system.