More than 300 lawyers from Multan have filed a formal complaint against Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Aalia Neelum, in the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Tuesday.
The complaint accused CJ Aalia Neelum of enforcing discriminatory practices, particularly regarding court fees and the lack of modern communication facilities like video link in the Multan Bench.
According to the complaint filed in the SJC, the primary grievance revolved around the imposition of court fees in Multan, which are allegedly not charged at the principal seat of the Lahore High Court.
This, the complainants claimed, constitutes a clear case of unequal treatment and violates the principle of uniform judicial access.
The complaint further highlights that a fee of Rs500 is being charged for obtaining a certified copy form in the Multan Bench.
The lawyers argue that this is not only an act of discrimination but also an exploitation of litigants, who are already burdened by legal costs.
Another major point raised in the complaint pertains to the video link facility.
Despite formal approval granted by the Chief Justice of Pakistan on December 24, 2024, for the provision of video link services in Multan, no action has reportedly been taken in the six months since the directive.
The lack of implementation has caused significant inconvenience to lawyers and litigants in the region.
Reporter: Amanat Gashkori