Replaces official means of transport with monthly allowance for bailiffs across Punjab
Lahore High Court. PHOTO: ONLINE
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has implemented a transport monetization policy, allowing judicial officers serving in the Punjab district judiciary to purchase their officially allocated vehicles at discounted rates.
The policy is applied retroactively from July 1, 2026.
Under the new arrangement, bailiffs will no longer be entitled to official fuel, maintenance or driver facilities for their personal use.
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In lieu of these benefits, they will receive a monthly transport monetization allowance, the amount of which will be fixed by the competent authority and revised from time to time depending on the prevailing fuel prices and economic conditions.
According to a notification issued by the LHC Registrar, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum approved the policy in accordance with the decisions of the National Judicial Committee (Policy Making) (NJPMC) and the Punjab Cabinet.
A major element of this policy allows bailiffs to purchase the official vehicles currently allocated to them by paying a depreciated lump sum. Those who choose not to purchase the vehicles will have to surrender them immediately to their respective district and sessions judges.
The notification provides that the depreciated price will be calculated by applying depreciation at the rate of 15 percent in the first year and 10 percent in each subsequent year on the initial purchase cost of the vehicle.
The policy requires the entire purchase amount to be paid in a lump sum through a payment order or demand draft in favor of the LHC Registrar.
It further states that the sale price shall not be less than Rs 200,000 for vehicles up to 1,000 cc and Rs 250,000 for vehicles with engine capacity of 1,300 cc or above.
Agents who intend to purchase the vehicles allocated to them will also be required to provide a written undertaking agreeing to the prescribed terms and conditions.
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After purchase, vehicles must be registered as private vehicles. Government registration numbers and green license plates will need to be returned, while all costs related to re-registration, transfer and applicable taxes will be the responsibility of the purchasing bailiff.
The notification clearly states that the facility is accessible only to those magistrates who have been officially allotted vehicles by the Lahore High Court.
It also extends the possibility to the widow or spouse of a bailiff who died during service, to allow him to acquire the vehicle allocated at the depreciated price, subject to the prescribed procedure and approval.
Judicial officers who are the subject of disciplinary proceedings, as well as those who have already returned their official vehicle, will generally not be entitled to benefit from this system.
However, trainee bailiffs may benefit from this contract, subject to the applicable conditions.
The notification further directs each district to maintain a centralized fleet of official vehicles only for official and ceremonial purposes, while any surplus vehicles resulting from the implementation of the monetization policy shall be reported to the Lahore High Court without delay.
