Entertainment
Four high court judges’ request for pension details triggers resignation rumours
- Four HC judges make verbal queries about post-retirement benefits.
- Seek details of when pensionary benefits will become due.
- Two of four judges to become eligible for pension next month in Dec.
ISLAMABAD: Following the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment, empowering the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to transfer high court judges across provinces without their consent, fresh indications have emerged that as many as four high court judges may be contemplating resignation.
Well-placed sources told The News that these four judges have recently approached their respective high court’s accounts department to seek detailed information regarding their post-retirement entitlements.
Their queries, all made verbally, relate to pensionary benefits, the exact dates on which such benefits become due in two of the cases, the status of their accumulated leave balances, and the depreciated value of the official vehicles currently in their use if they opt to purchase them now.
According to sources, these inquiries have triggered strong speculation within judicial circles that the four judges — already understood to be on the government’s list for transfer after the passage of the 27th Amendment — are actively weighing the option of stepping down instead of being reassigned to new provinces or regions.
Two of the four judges will become eligible for pension sometime in next month- December 2025, leading to uncertainty over the timing of any decision. “If they choose to resign, it is still not clear whether the resignations will come immediately or after they qualify for pensionary benefits,” a source said, adding, “Even if they do resign, there is no clarity on whether they will proceed collectively or one by one”.
The development comes amid reported government plans for judicial reshuffling following the 27th Amendment, which government circles argue is necessary to address the conduct of certain judges who, in their view, have “brought disrepute” to the judiciary.
Others, however, believe that the 27th amendment has badly dented the independence of the judiciary and in such a situation, it is difficult for the “independent minded” judges to continue.
Although the Judicial Commission of Pakistan is constitutionally empowered to appoint and transfer judges, in the present constitution of the JCP government appears to be an advantage.
Originally published in The News
Zendaya will forever be grateful to the Spider-Man franchise for introducing her to her “love” and “best friend,” Tom Holland.
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show on Monday, April 6, the Euphoria star took a walk down memory lane to her past projects, including Disney’s Shake it Up, The Greatest Showman, and, of course, Spider-Man: Homecoming.
“Lots comes to mind,” Zendaya said with a grin as a picture of her in Spider-Man’s arms appeared on the screen.
The Drama actress noted how “crazy” it is to be a part of the franchise she grew up watching. “To be a part of them, and the joy that it brings to people…” said Zendaya, before reflecting on what it brought to her own life.
“It brought into my life love and my best friend,” she gushed as she stole another glance at the picture from their early days.
Zendaya, 29, and Holland, also 29, famously met while filming the 2017 Marvel hit. After years of romance rumours, the pair confirmed their relationship in 2020. They got engaged in late 2024, and it was rumoured they secretly wed earlier this year.
Though the couple is choosing not to confirm or deny the rumours for their privacy’s sake, fans will get to see them share the screen once more as Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theatres on July 31.
“I’m excited for you to see the next one,” Zendaya told Barrymore. “I am already so proud of the work, and I’m so proud of Tom. This next one — I’m blown away,”
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have reportedly rejected settlement talks over their civil case and are now moving forward to trial.
Last week, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed 10 of 13 claims in Lively’s lawsuit, including allegations of harassment and defamation, against her It Ends With Us co-star and director.
Baldoni denied all those allegations which were made against him and his film studio, Wayfarer.
Editors at MailOnline reported that both Lively and Baldoni remain at their different ways, even though Judge Liman asked them to update the court on any settlement.
No agreement was reached in pre-trial hearings and the trial is scheduled to start on 18 May.
The judge, however, ruled that Lively could not file a sexual harassment claim under federal law because she was an independent contractor on the film and she also could not bring a harassment claim under California law because the filming took place in New Jersey.
Only three claims are going forward and that are “breach of contract, retaliation and aiding and abetting in retaliation.”
A Simple Favor actress posted a long statement on Instagram saying that she will continue to fight to expose people and systems that harm, shame, silence or retaliate against victims.
Blake also added that she will not waste the privilege of being able to stand up and thanked supporters for keeping her going.
American hedge fund Pershing Square, led by the activist investor Bill Ackman, announced Tuesday that it had offered to buy Universal Music Group in a merger, saying it believed the world’s biggest music label was undervalued by stock markets.
Pershing Square said its offer to Universal shareholders included 9.4 billion euros ($10.9 billion) in cash plus 0.77 shares in the new entity for each UMG share. After a merger with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings, an acquisition company, the new entity would be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Universal currently trades on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
The Reuters news agency says Pershing Square’s cash-and-shares offer values Universal Music at around 30.40 euros ($35) per share, 78% over its last closing price of 17.10 euros and making the deal worth 55.75 billion euros ($64.31 billion).
The merged company would boast a stable of top artists including Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish and Drake.
Pershing Square hopes to close the deal by the end of 2026.
“UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said in a statement.
The company pointed to uncertainty about French conglomerate Bollore’s plans for its 18 percent stake in Universal, delay in listing on the U.S. stock market, and “underutilization of UMG’s balance sheet” among concerns that have held back the shares’ performance.
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