JCP recommends Justice Aalia Neelum as next CJ of LHC

Justice Aalia Neelum has been nominated as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.  

According to sources, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has unanimously recommended her name for the prestigious position.

 She will be first female chief justice of LHC. She is known as a judge with expertise in criminal laws.

Both the government representatives—the attorney general for Pakistan and the law minister—had agreed on the consideration of Justice Neelum as the new LHC CJ.

She stands third in the seniority list of the judges of LHC.

If Justice Neelum takes oath as CJ, she will supersede two senior-most judges of the LHC—Justice Shujaat Ali Khan and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.

Justice Aalia Neelum will serve until November 11, 2028.

Brief profile

Justice Aalia Neelum was born on November 12, 1966. She earned her LL.B. degree from the University of the Punjab in 1995 and was enrolled as an advocate the following year.

In 2008, she was admitted to practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Since her elevation to the Lahore High Court bench in 2013, Justice Aalia has delivered numerous reported judgments on significant legal issues.

Justice Aalia's academic background is robust. She holds a Master's degree in Political Science from the University of the Punjab and has obtained various diplomas in fields related to law and the judiciary. Additionally, she earned a B.Ed. degree from her alma mater.

In her judicial career, Justice Aalia has dealt extensively with criminal, civil, and anti-terrorism laws. She has also served as a focal person for gender-based violence courts, contributing significantly to this critical area of the judiciary.