Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum is expected to be elevated to the Supreme Court next month. The move will make her one of the few women to serve on Pakistan’s highest court.
According to reports, the appointment is expected after the retirement of Supreme Court judge Justice Musarrat Hilali on August 8. Her departure will create a vacancy on the apex court bench.
If the appointment is finalized, Aalia Neelum will continue female representation in the Supreme Court. The development is being viewed as another important step for Pakistan’s judiciary.
An official notification has not yet been issued. However, legal circles expect the appointment process to be completed after Justice Hilali retires.
The elevation of Aalia Neelum is also expected to lead to changes within the Lahore High Court. Several senior judges may be considered for the position of the next chief justice.
Among the names being discussed are Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh, Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan, and Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi. The final decision will follow the formal appointment process.
The expected promotion has attracted attention across Pakistan’s legal community. Many legal experts see it as another milestone for women in senior judicial positions.
Who is Aalia Neelum?
Aalia Neelum has served as the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court since July 11, 2024. She became the first woman in the court’s 142-year history to hold the top position.
She was born in Rawalpindi on November 12, 1966. She completed her law degree at the University of the Punjab and later earned qualifications in political science, education, Sharia law, and intellectual property rights.
She began her legal career in 1996. During her years as a lawyer, she handled constitutional, civil, criminal, banking, accountability, and anti-terrorism cases.
In 2013, she was appointed as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court. Two years later, she became a permanent judge.
Throughout her judicial career, Aalia Neelum has authored more than 200 reported judgments. Many of these decisions relate to criminal law and judicial administration.
She has also played a key role in judicial reforms. Her work includes supporting gender-based violence courts and improving e-court systems across Punjab.
Justice Neelum also became Punjab’s first woman administrative judge for anti-terrorism courts. Her efforts have been recognized as important contributions to the judicial system.
Her appointment as Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court marked a historic achievement for women in Pakistan’s legal profession. A move to the Supreme Court would represent another major milestone in her career.
The expected elevation of Aalia Neelum highlights the growing presence of women in Pakistan’s higher judiciary. Legal experts believe her experience and judicial record will strengthen the Supreme Court bench.
The official confirmation is still awaited, but attention is now focused on the formal process and the appointment of her successor at the Lahore High Court.
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