The Lahore High Court (LHC) has barred judges from using green registration plates, blue warning lights or judicial monograms on recently provided vehicles.
Lahore Sessions Judge Tariq Khurshid Khawaja issued the notification to additional sessions judges and civil judges across Lahore.
Under the new instructions, judges will use the vehicles privately. They cannot represent the cars as official government vehicles.
The notification warned that authorities would take action against judges who violate the instructions. The restrictions specifically cover green number plates, blue warning lights and the judiciary’s monogram.
Judges to Bear Vehicle Maintenance Costs
Following the notification, additional sessions judges across Punjab informed judges in their respective districts about the instructions.
A total of 189 cars have been provided to additional sessions judges in Lahore. Meanwhile, civil judges have received 400 vehicles.
However, the government will not cover maintenance expenses for these cars. Judges will have to pay for repairs and other maintenance costs themselves.
According to the instructions, judges will only receive the petrol allowance already included with their salaries.
The latest directive clarifies the status and permitted use of vehicles provided to members of the subordinate judiciary.
By restricting official-looking markings and warning lights, the LHC has also sought to prevent privately used vehicles from being presented as official judicial vehicles.
Judges will therefore need to follow the prescribed conditions while using the cars. Any violation could result in action under the notification issued by the Lahore Sessions Court.
