IHC registrar issues notice to Justice Babar Sattar, asks him to vacate Islamabad residence

ISLAMABAD: Following the cancellation of the official accommodation allotted to Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Babar Sattar in Islamabad, the IHC registrar on Friday issued him a notice directing him to vacate the residence within 30 days.

On April 28, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan approved the transfer of Justice Sattar from the IHC to the PHC. Following his transfer, Justice Sattar had decided to continue residing in the federal capital during his tenure at the provincial high court instead of seeking a separate official residence in Peshawar.

According to the notice issued by the IHC registrar, the Estate Office cancelled the allotment of the official residence on July 3.

The notice stated that Justice Sattar had been transferred from the IHC to the PHC and, following the cancellation of the allotment, had been given one month to vacate the premises.

It further clarified that the 30-day period would be calculated from July 3, the date on which the Estate Office cancelled the allotment. Accordingly, the judge was required to vacate his Islamabad residence by Aug 3.

Sources said Justice Sattar had earlier conveyed to the IHC administration his intention to retain the accommodation in Islamabad.

The issue of official accommodation for superior court judges has long remained contentious.

In 2023, a judgment authored by Justice Sattar held that judges were entitled to official accommodation from the date of their appointment and throughout their service, with the entitlement flowing from the presidential order rather than the general accommodation rules applicable to federal government employees.

Sources further said officials visited Justice Sattar’s Islamabad residence on Wednesday but left shortly afterwards because the judge was on judicial leave and was not present at the residence at the time. ...