LHC starts the process of selecting judges for each of the 60 authorized posts.

Justice Aalia Neelum, the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court (LHC), has started the official process of filling all 60 of the court’s authorized judge positions, including the 18 that are now unfilled.

Although the LHC is authorized to have 60 judges, this number has never been reached in its whole. In order to alleviate the mounting backlog of cases and lessen the burden on active judges, Justice Aalia Neelum has proposed that all sanctioned seats be filled.

There are currently 42 judges serving at the LHC, including the Chief Justice, and 18 seats are unfilled. The number of ongoing cases has increased due to the judicial shortfall, putting a great deal of strain on the current bench. Bar associations have been calling for the appointment of new judges for a long time, citing the vacancies as a significant obstacle to the prompt administration of justice.

Officials claim that a methodical and transparent appointment procedure has been established. The names of reputable, capable, and morally upright members of the legal community—including qualified and trustworthy government attorneys—are being considered.

Lawyers’ professional records are gathered in the first phase, which is followed by interviews and shortlisting. The Chief Justice and other panel members will then transmit the chosen names to the Judicial panel Chairman.

According to sources, the appointment procedure should be finished in a month or two. Pir Masood Chishti, the Pakistan Bar Council’s vice chairman, commended the move and described it as a long-standing need of the legal community. Farrukh Ilyas Cheema, the bar secretary for the Lahore High Court, also applauded the action, stating that it will improve the legal system and assist guarantee swift justice.