Lahore (Web Desk/Agencies): Justice Aalia Neelum took oath as the first chief justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday.
Governor Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, administered the oath to Justice Aalia Neelum in a ceremony to be held at the Governor’s House in Lahore.
The event was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, alongside esteemed guests including judges, lawyers, and government officials.
On July 2, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) nominated Justice Aalia Neelum as the LHC CJ.
The nomination was made unanimously during a meeting of the JCP headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.
Justice Aalia is third in the seniority list of the judges after the elevation of former LHC CJ Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan to the Supreme Court (SC).
Following the commission's approval, President Asif Ali Zardari had Wednesday officially notified the appointment of Justice Neelum as the high court's chief justice.
Justice Aalia Neelum’s appointment is a significant milestone in the history of the court and a testament to her exceptional qualifications and dedication to the legal profession.
According to state-run news agency Associated Pree of Pakistan (APP), born on November 12, 1966, Justice Aalia Neelum is a distinguished jurist with a remarkable career spanning over two decades.
She obtained her L.L.B degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, in 1995, and later earned a Master’s degree in Political Science from the same institution.
Justice Aalia Neelum also holds diplomas in Sharia Law and Advanced Sharia Law from the Islamic University of Islamabad, as well as a diploma in Intellectual Property Rights from the University of the Punjab.
Additionally, she has a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of the Punjab, Lahore.
Justice Aalia Neelum began her legal career in 1996, enrolling as an advocate with the Punjab Bar Council. She quickly established herself as a formidable lawyer, excelling in various domains, including Constitutional Law, White-Collar Crime, Civil, Criminal, Anti-Terrorism laws, NAB, Banking Offences, Special Central Courts Law, and Banking Laws.
Her exceptional advocacy skills and in-depth knowledge of the law earned her recognition, and she was enrolled as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2008.
Justice Aalia's outstanding performance and dedication to the legal profession led to her elevation as an Additional Judge of the Lahore High Court in 2013.
Later, she received confirmation and took oath as a Judge on March 16, 2015, and has since rendered 203 reported judgments on a wide range of legal issues.
Justice Aalia Neelum has also served as the Inspection Judge for multiple districts, including Okara, Nankana, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, and Rawalpindi, and has acted as the Monitoring/Administrative Judge for various special courts and tribunals, including as the first female Administrative Judge of Anti-Terrorism Courts of the Punjab.
Throughout her career, Justice Aalia Neelum has demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. She has played a pivotal role in the establishment of Gender-Based Violence Courts and has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights.
Her contributions to the development of law and her steadfast support for gender equality have inspired countless individuals, both within and outside the legal community.
Justice Aalia Neelum has also participated in several international conferences, further enriching her knowledge and expertise.
She attended various conferences held in Washington D.C, Minneapolis, USA, the Philippines, Argentina, and New Zealand, focusing on intellectual property rights enforcement, criminal justice, legal literacy for women, and building bridges between women judges globally.
Notably, Justice Aalia Neelum played a vital role in preparing the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for recording evidence during trials in E-Courts in the Province of Punjab.
This significant contribution has streamlined the evidence recording process, enhancing the efficiency and transparency of trial proceedings. The Administration Committee approved the SOP, which has now been implemented in all trial courts across the province of Punjab.