ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday approved the appointment of additional judges to five high courts across Pakistan and confirmed several existing additional judges as permanent judges, according to an official statement, as part of judicial appointments and administrative reforms. The president approved the appointment of additional judges to the Lahore High Court (LHC), Sindh High Court (SHC), Peshawar High Court (PHC), Islamabad High Court (IHC) and Balochistan High Court (BHC). Under the approved measures, the financial benefits of Supreme Court judges will be brought closer to those provided to judges of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). The president also approved amendments to the 1997 order that covers leave rules, pensions and other benefits for high court judges. The presidency has regularly approved judicial appointments after recommendations from relevant constitutional forums, including the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and parliamentary processes where required.