ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) on Tuesday picked Justice Aalia Neelum, who is third on the seniority list, to be the first female Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, considered three names—Justice Shujaat Ali Khan, currently serving as the acting Chief Justice, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, and Justice Aalia Neelum—for the role of Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC). The JCP unanimously approved Justice Aalia’s nomination.
Following Justice Shahzad’s elevation to the Supreme Court, President Asif Ali Zardari appointed the most senior judge, Justice Shujaat Ali Khan, as the acting CJ of the high court under Article 196.
Meanwhile, the JCP also unanimously appointed Justice Shafi Muhammad Siddiqui as the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC).
This appointment came after former SHC CJ Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi was elevated to the Supreme Court alongside Justice Shahzad and Justice Shahid earlier this month.
