Justice Aalia Neelum set to become Pakistan’s Third Woman Supreme Court Judge

LAHORE – Pakistan’s judiciary is set for another historic milestone as Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum is expected to be elevated to Supreme Court of Pakistan next month. Reports in local media said the 59-year-old jurist will become third woman in country’s history to serve as Supreme Court judge, succeeding Justice Musarrat Hilali after her retirement on early August. The move is likely to ensure the continuation of female representation on the apex court and mark yet another breakthrough for women in Pakistan’s judicial history. While the official notification is still awaited, legal circles are closely watching the development, which is being viewed as a significant transition within the superior judiciary. After her elevation, senior judges Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh, Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan and Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi are likely to be considered for the office of Chief Justice. Justice Aalia Neelum has built distinguished judicial career spanning nearly three decades. On July 11, 2024, she made history by becoming the first woman ever appointed Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court in the institution’s 142-year history. She got her law degree from University of the Punjab before pursuing advanced qualifications in political science, education, Sharia law and intellectual property rights. She entered the legal profession in 1996 and developed expertise in constitutional, civil, criminal, banking, accountability and anti-terrorism litigation. Her judicial journey began in 2013 when she was appointed as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court, before being confirmed as a permanent judge in 2015. Over the years, Justice Aalia Neelum has authored more than 200 reported judgments, particularly in criminal law, earning recognition for her legal expertise and judicial contributions. Beyond delivering key judgments, Justice Neelum played an active role in modernising Pakistan’s judicial system. She has championed the es