ISLAMABAD, January 24 (Asia Free Press): Justice Ayesha Malik, the serving Judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday, took oath as the first female Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Gulzar Ahmed, Chief Justice of the apex court, administered the oath to Justice Ayesha Malik, which marked history in the country’s judiciary, at the Supreme Court building. This historic ceremony was attended by many SC’s judges, including Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who has been nominated as the next top Judge of Pakistan. The ceremony was also attended by Attorney Generals, Lawyers, Journalists and other high officials, reported APP.
Replying to a reporter’s query following the ceremony, CJP Gulzar said that he would not take credit for Justice Ayesha’s elevation as the apex court judge.
“She deserved to become a judge of the Supreme Court, and that’s why she became one,” CJP Gulzar added while appreciating the newly-appointed Judge for her efforts.
The top Judge was also asked whether he considered Ayesha’s appointment based on a judge or a woman, to which he replied “woman”.
Earlier, on January 21, the law ministry issued a notification according to which the appointment of the Lahore High Court (LHC) judge had been approved by the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi.
Before January 19, the parliamentary committee on Judges Appointment had unanimously approved the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik as an apex court judge.
The newly-inducted Justice Ayesha, who ranks number four on the LHC judges’ seniority list, became a judge in March 2012. Now, She will continue to work as a Supreme Court judge until June 2031. She could also become the Chief Justice of Pakistan after the retirement of Justice Yahya Afridi in January 2030.
The appointment of the first women judges to the Supreme Court has been praised widely across the country. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, congratulated Justice Ayesha and wished her all the best. The tweet appeared on his verified official account.
Meanwhile, Information Minister in the country, Fawad Chaudhry, took to his official Twitter handle to congratulate Justice Ayesha on “a landmark elevation.”
“A powerful picture symbolises the women empowerment in Pakistan,” said Fawad alongside the picture of today’s oath-taking ceremony, adding that he hopes Justice Ayesha will be an asset to the country’s “judicial hierarchy”.
Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, also took to Twitter to acknowledge Justice Ayesha’s appointment.
“Historic moment — first woman judge of Supreme Court of Pakistan,” Mazari tweeted.
