Justice Aalia Neelum Sworn In As First Woman CJ Of LHC

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan administers oath to Justice Aalia Neelum for the office of Chief Justice Lahore High Court at Punjab Governor House today.

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-July 11^th, 2024) Justice Aalia Neelum made history on Thursday by becoming the first woman Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC), taking her oath in a straightforward ceremony at the Governor House.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan administered the oath, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, high court judges, and other dignitaries in attendance.

Justice Ayesha Malik is the first woman Supreme Court judge, while Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar was the first woman to ascend to the rank of chief justice in any Pakistani court, having served as Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court (BHC).

Justice Musarrat Hilali also made history as the first woman Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

Chief Justice Neelum's appointment marks a significant milestone in the court's history, underscoring her exceptional qualifications and dedication to the legal profession. With a career spanning over two decades, she has distinguished herself as a jurist of high regard.

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, unanimously approved Justice Neelum's nomination.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan and Justice Baqar Najafi were also considered for the role, ultimately resulting in her selection to replace Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, who has been elevated to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Born in 1966, Chief Justice Neelum graduated from Punjab University Law College in 1995, subsequently acquiring several law-related diplomas. She commenced her legal career in 1996, gaining admission to the high court in 1998 and the Supreme Court in 2008. Her practice has encompassed diverse areas such as constitutional, civil, criminal, and anti-terrorism law. In 2013, she was appointed an ad hoc judge of the Lahore High Court, becoming a permanent judge in 2015 and contributing significantly to the establishment of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for video-linked evidence recording.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended her congratulations to Chief Justice Neelum, marking another milestone in a career of firsts for women in Pakistani leadership.