Summary Chief Justice Aalia Neelum inaugurated Lahore's Judicial Tower project, which will consolidate subordinate courts under one roof within 30 months.
LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) – Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum laid the foundation stone of the Lahore Judicial Tower, a landmark project that will bring all subordinate courts in the city under one roof. The Rs24 billion project is scheduled for completion within 30 months.
During the ceremony, the chief justice also inaugurated solarisation projects for subordinate courts, an e-library and other facilities at Aiwan-e-Adl.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar described the Judicial Tower as a historic initiative, while Lahore Bar Association President Irfan Hayat Bajwa paid tribute to Chief Justice Aalia Neelum for her contributions to the judicial system.
The chief justice received a warm welcome upon her arrival at the Lahore Bar Association, where flower petals were showered on her. Lahore High Court judges Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh and Justice Syed Shahbaz Rizvi were also present.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum later visited the Lahore Bar Association, where she inaugurated the solarisation of subordinate courts, an e-library and the LEADS Bar Room.
Speaking at the event, Lahore Bar Association President Irfan Hayat Bajwa said Justice Aalia Neelum had introduced several landmark judicial and administrative reforms during her tenure as chief justice before proceeding to the foundation stone ceremony of the Judicial Tower.
The ceremony was attended by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh, Justice Syed Shahbaz Rizvi, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon, Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Pir Masood Chishti, Lahore Bar Association President Irfan Hayat Bajwa and judges of the district judiciary.
Addressing the gathering, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said Chief Justice Aalia Neelum would leave behind a lasting legacy for future generations.
He noted that Punjab had been blessed with both its first woman chief minister and first woman chief justice, adding that Justice Aalia Neelum had focused on improving services for litigants and lawyers rather than seeking personal privileges or official residences for judges.
The minister assured full government support for the completion of the Judicial Tower project and acknowledged the efforts of Ahsan Bhoon and Advocate Munir Bhatti in helping bring the initiative to fruition.
Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon said the Judicial Tower had been a long-standing demand of the legal fraternity and credited Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Chief Justice Aalia Neelum for making the project a reality.
Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Pir Masood Chishti praised the chief justice for taking meaningful steps to promote the welfare of lawyers.
Lahore Sessions Judge Tariq Khurshid described the occasion as a milestone in the city's judicial history, saying the judiciary was moving beyond its traditional responsibilities to ensure timely and dignified justice. He also commended Chief Justice Aalia Neelum for her outstanding administrative achievements.
The Judicial Tower will house 184 courtrooms, bar rooms, record rooms and a modern parking plaza, providing a centralised judicial complex for Lahore.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, commemorative shields and copies of the Holy Quran were presented to Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhoon, Lahore Bar Association President Irfan Hayat Bajwa, judges and representatives of the legal fraternity.
