In a landmark decision, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan has unanimously nominated Justice Aalia Neelum as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. This historic move marks the first time a female judge has been appointed to this prestigious position.
The selection process, involving a voting procedure among three judges, saw Justice Neelum emerge as the consensus candidate. She succeeds Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, following his elevation to the Supreme Court alongside Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan.
Born in Lahore in 1966, Justice Neelum graduated from Punjab University Law College in 1995, later pursuing a distinguished career in law. Beginning as an advocate in 1996, she ascended to the Lahore High Court Bar in 1998 and achieved the status of a Supreme Court lawyer in 2008. Her legal expertise spans constitutional, civil, criminal, and terrorism cases.
Justice Neelum’s judicial journey saw her appointed as an ad-hoc judge at the Lahore High Court in 2013, eventually becoming a permanent judge in 2015. Throughout her tenure, she has been a pioneer in advancing legal practices, including the introduction of video-linked witness testimony procedures.
This nomination not only recognizes Justice Neelum’s exemplary career but also marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s judiciary, underscoring strides towards gender diversity and equality within the legal profession.
