ISLAMABAD (MNN); The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Registrar has issued a notice to Justice Babar Sattar, currently serving at the Peshawar High Court (PHC), directing him to vacate his official residence in Islamabad within 30 days after the cancellation of its official allotment.
According to the notice issued on Friday, the Estate Office revoked the allotment of the residence on July 3 following Justice Sattar’s transfer from the Islamabad High Court to the Peshawar High Court. The notice states that the judge must vacate the residence by August 3, with the 30-day period commencing from the date of cancellation.
Justice Babar Sattar was transferred to the PHC after the Judicial Commission of Pakistan approved his transfer on April 28. Following the move, he had expressed his intention to continue residing in Islamabad during his tenure at the Peshawar High Court instead of seeking official accommodation in Peshawar.
Sources said Justice Sattar had earlier informed the IHC administration of his desire to retain the Islamabad residence despite his transfer.
The issue of official accommodation for superior court judges has remained a subject of legal and administrative debate for several years.
In 2023, a judgment authored by Justice Sattar ruled that judges are entitled to official residences from the date of their appointment and throughout their service. The ruling held that this entitlement originates from the relevant presidential order rather than the general accommodation rules applicable to federal government employees.
Sources further revealed that officials visited Justice Sattar’s Islamabad residence on Wednesday to deliver the notice, but returned without meeting him as he was on judicial leave and was not present at the residence.
