PBC hails JCP’s decision to appoint Justice Aalia Neelum first female LHC CJ

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) Vice Chairman Riazat Ali Sahar on Wednesday welcomed the decision of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to recommend the appointments of Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, acting chief justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC), and Justice Aalia Neelum, judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC), as the new chief justices of their respective courts.

A statement quoted him as saying that both judges are competent, upright and independent, with unquestionable integrity and high respect within society and the legal fraternity.

He paid tribute to the entire JCP for nominating Justice Aalia as the first female chief justice of the LHC, marking a historic milestone in the LHC.

Lahore High Court Bar Association Secretary Barrister Qadir Bakhsh Chahal and Finance Secretary Falak Naz Gill said that the appointment of Justice Aalia as the LHC chief justice is a matter of great honour.

They said the association hopes that the issues faced by the bar would be resolved in a better way. They also expressed hope that the new chief justice would take timely action to withdraw the notification of the Model Town courts.

Punjab Bar Council Executive Committee Chairman Pir Imran Akram Bodla and Vice Chairman Kamran Bashir Mughal said in a joint statement that they wholeheartedly congratulate lawyers of the Punjab province on the historic appointment of Justice Aalia as the first female chief justice of the LHC.

They said that the entire justice system is built for citizens, so they hope that Justice Aalia would play her part in making it easier for citizens to get justice.

In a statement issued by the Bahawalpur High Court Bar Association heartiest congratulations were extended to Justice Aalia on her appointment as the LHC chief justice.

The association expressed hope that she would prove to be an excellent chief justice, uphold the rule of law, maintain good relations between the bar and the bench, and address the legitimate demands of lawyers.

They assured her of their complete cooperation, and hoped that she would resolve the issues of lawyers on merit. They also invited her to visit Bahawalpur soon.

Multan High Court Bar Association President Malik Sajjad Haider Maitla, General Secretary Syed Anees Mehdi and the executive committee members issued a joint statement to congratulate the JCP on their unanimous decision to appoint Justice Aalia as the LHC chief justice.

They said the association and lawyers are hopeful that like the previous chief justices, Justice Aalia would also play a pivotal role in ensuring swift provision of justice during her tenure.

They also expressed hope that Justice Aalia would play an important role in resolving the issues faced by lawyers, especially the lawyers in southern Punjab.

Rawalpindi High Court Bar Association President Malik Jawad Khalid and General Secretary Shabbir Ahmad Mirza said in a joint statement that they warmly congratulate Justice Aalia on becoming the first female chief justice of the LHC.

They said her appointment would prove to be a welcome step not only for the judiciary but also for lawyers. On behalf of all the lawyers of the association, they assured her of their full cooperation.

They hoped that exemplary and pleasant relations between the bar and the bench would be promoted during her tenure. They also hoped that affordable and quality justice would be provided to citizens, and immediate steps would be taken to resolve all the problems faced by lawyers in performing their professional duties.