The Federal Constitutional Court strikes down lifetime additional benefits granted to former Balochistan Chief Secretaries, calling the move unlawful and beyond constitutional authority.
The Federal Constitutional Court has delivered a significant judgment nullifying a notification that granted lifetime additional benefits to former Chief Secretaries of Balochistan and their spouses, declaring the move unconstitutional and beyond legal authority.
In a four-page detailed verdict authored by Justice Amir Farooq, the court dismissed the appeal filed by the Chief Secretary of Balochistan, effectively upholding earlier findings of the Balochistan High Court which had already ruled the perks unlawful.
The dispute centered on a provincial notification issued with approval from the Chief Minister of Balochistan, which granted retired chief secretaries and their widows lifetime supplementary benefits beyond standard pension entitlements.
The court observed that any governmental action in violation of law is inherently without legal justification. It further ruled that the Constitution only permits actions that are backed by clear legal authority, leaving no room for arbitrary executive benefits.
According to the judgment, retirement benefits such as pension and allowances must strictly follow existing legal frameworks and service rules. The court emphasized that the authority to frame such rules lies with the Finance Department Balochistan, not with individual administrative offices such as the Chief Secretary or even the provincial finance minister.
The verdict also noted that the Chief Minister’s approval for these additional lifelong benefits had no lawful basis, making the entire notification void from the outset.
During proceedings, the Balochistan government had defended the policy as an administrative discretion, but the constitutional court firmly rejected this argument, reinforcing limits on executive authority in matters of pensions and state expenditures.
The case highlights a broader legal principle: that public office benefits must remain within the boundaries of statutory law, and no authority can extend privileges beyond what is explicitly permitted.
The ruling is being seen as a strong precedent in curbing discretionary financial benefits granted to retired bureaucrats, particularly when such decisions bypass established legal and financial procedures.
About The Author
