ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has struck down a notification granting lifetime additional benefits to former Chief Secretaries of Balochistan and their widows, while also dismissing an appeal filed by the provincial Chief Secretary.
In a four-page order issued by Justice Amir Farooq, the court ruled that any government action taken against the law is unjustified, and that there is no legal scope for providing such benefits to retired officers or their families.
The judgment clarified that pension and other post-retirement benefits can only be given in strict accordance with the law. Furthermore, only the Finance Department holds the authority to frame rules in this regard, while neither the Finance Minister nor the Chief Secretary possesses any such power.
The order further stated that the approval of additional benefits by the Chief Minister of Balochistan was also illegal, as the Constitution only permits measures that are not subject to any legal restrictions.
To recall, the Balochistan government had granted lifetime privileges to former chief secretaries and their widows. The Balochistan High Court had already declared this move illegal, following which the provincial government filed an appeal before the Federal Constitutional Court. The FCC has now upheld the High Court’s decision and dismissed the appeal.
