LAHORE: Justice Aalia Neelum shattered the grass ceiling, becoming the first woman chief justice in the 142-year history of the Lahore High Court.

Punjab Governor Saleem Haider Khan administered the oath to the new chief justice at the Governor House, with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in attendance.

Headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the Judicial Commission of Pakistan had unanimously greenlighted her elevation after considering the nominations of three judges for the position of LHC chief justice, including Justice Shujaat Ali Khan and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi.

Following the commission's approval, President Asif Ali Zardari had Wednesday officially notified the appointment of Justice Neelum as the high court's chief justice.

She will now be serving as the 47th chief justice of the Lahore High Court since 1920 and 54th overall since March 21, 1882, when this judicial institution was called the Chief Court of Lahore. 

More to follow...