Justice Aalia Neelum becomes first female LHC chief justice

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the appointments of Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui as Sindh High Court (SHC) Chief Justice and Justice Alia Neelum as Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice.

According to an announcement of the President House on Wednesday, Zardari approved the appointments under Article 175A (13) of the Constitution.

Following the approval of appointments, the Law Ministry issued a notification on Wednesday stating: “In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 193 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to appoint Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, Acting Chief Justice, High Court of Sindh as Chief Justice of the said Court with effect from the date he makes oath of his office.”

Another notification said: “In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 193 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to appoint Justice Miss Aalia Neelum Judge, Lahore High Court, Lahore as Chief Justice of the said Court with effect from the date she makes oath of her office.” Justice Aalia Neelum is first female LHC chief justice.