By our correspondent
Lahore
According to the sources of Daily Notable, on July 11th, 2024, in a historic ceremony to be held at the Governor’s House, Justice Aalia Neelum will take the oath of office as the first female Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court. Governor of Punjab, Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, in the presence of esteemed guests, including judges, lawyers, and government officials, will administer the oath.
As Chief Justice, Justice Neelum will lead the Lahore High Court with integrity, wisdom, and vision. Her appointment is a significant milestone in the history of the court and a testament to her exceptional qualifications and dedication to the legal profession.
Justice Aalia Neelum is a distinguished jurist with a remarkable career spanning over two decades. Born on November 12, 1966, 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. She 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, exceling 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.
Her 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 got confirmation and took oath as 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 first female Administrative Judge of Anti-Terrorism Courts of the Punjab.
Throughout her career, Hon’ble 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, Philippines, Argentine and New Zeeland, 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 Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) for recording evidence during trial 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. – PUNA
