ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointment of additional judges to five high courts, while endorsing the elevation of several additional judges to permanent positions. The move comes a day after the Islamabad High Court questioned the delay in approving the judicial appointments summary and sought responses from the president and prime minister. SC Judges’ Pay and Benefits AlignedSeparately, President Zardari approved measures to bring the salaries, allowances and pensions of Supreme Court judges on par with those of Federal Constitutional Court judges. He also approved amendments concerning leave, pensions and other benefits for high court judges under the 1997 order. Haroon Akhtar Named PM’s AdviserIn another decision, President Zardari approved the appointment of Haroon Akhtar as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production.