ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday approved the appointments of Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui as Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) and Justice Aalia Neelum as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The president’s approval was granted under Article 175 A (13) of the Constitution, as noted in an official notification. These top judicial positions became vacant after the elevation of three high court judges, including the chief justices of the Sindh and Lahore high courts—Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, respectively—to the Supreme Court last month.
In June, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan unanimously nominated Justice Aalia for the position of Chief Justice of the LHC and Justice Shafi for the top post in the SHC.
Justice Aalia Neelum is set to take her oath in a prestigious ceremony at the Punjab Governor House in Lahore at 9:30 am tomorrow, administered by Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan. Her appointment is historic as she will become the first-ever female Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court in its 142-year history.
Justice Aalia’s Profile
Justice Aalia Neelum was born on November 12, 1966. She obtained her LLB degree from the University of the Punjab in 1995 and was enrolled as an advocate a year later. She became an advocate in the Supreme Court in 2008. Since her elevation to the LHC bench in 2013, she has rendered numerous important judgments.
Her academic qualifications include a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of the Punjab and diplomas in various fields related to law and judiciary. She also holds a B.Ed degree from her alma mater. Justice Aalia has extensive experience in the judiciary, dealing with criminal, civil, and anti-terrorism laws. Additionally, she served as a focal person for gender-based violence courts, among other roles.
Justice Aalia’s appointment marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s judicial history, reflecting progress toward greater gender representation in the country’s legal system.
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