- Justice Aalia Neelum has become the first female Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in Pakistan’s judiciary.
- The Judicial Commission of Pakistan, led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, unanimously approved her elevation, showcasing strong support despite the Pakistan Bar Council’s advocacy for seniority principles.
- With a career beginning as an advocate in 1996 and elevation to the Lahore High Court in 2013, Justice Neelum’s extensive experience and credentials played a crucial role in her historic promotion.
In a landmark decision, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) unanimously approved the elevation of Justice Aalia Neelum as the first female Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC). The decision was reached on Tuesday under the leadership of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.
Justice Neelum’s nomination was considered alongside two other candidates: Acting Chief Justice Shujaat Ali Khan and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi. Her elevation marks a significant milestone for gender representation in Pakistan’s judiciary.
Simultaneously, the JCP recommended Justice Shafi Siddiqui for the role of Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, filling the vacancy left by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi’s promotion to the Supreme Court. The chief justice position at the LHC became vacant after Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan was elevated to the Supreme Court on June 7, leading to Justice Shujaat Ali Khan’s temporary appointment as acting chief justice.
Despite being third in the seniority list of LHC judges, Justice Neelum’s credentials and experience garnered unanimous support from the JCP.
Born on November 12, 1966, Justice Neelum earned her LLB from the University of Punjab in 1995, was enrolled as an advocate in 1996, and became an advocate of the Supreme Court in 2008. She was elevated to the Lahore High Court in 2013, marking the beginning of her distinguished judicial career.
This decision follows the precedent set by previous trailblazing women in the judiciary, such as Justice Syeda Tahira Safdar, who became the first female Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court in 2018, and Justice Ayesha A. Malik, who became the first woman judge of the Supreme Court in 2021.
Pakistan’s First Olympic Markswoman Kishmala Talat Guns for Historic Medal. Read the full story here:
21-year-old Kishmala Talat is Pakistan’s first Olympic markswoman who aims to make history by winning an Olympic medal at pistol events. Slowing her breath and focusing on the bullseye in her pistol’s sights, Talat will compete in the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events at the Paris Games starting on July 26 seeking to bring glory abroad and challenge societal norms back home.
Pakistan’s First Olympic Markswoman Kishmala Talat Guns for Historic Medal
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