Justice Ayesha Malik took oath as the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday.
Her swearing-in ceremony was held at the apex court and Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed administered the oath to her.
A large number of Supreme Court judges, attorney generals and lawyers attended the ceremony.
On January 21, the law ministry issued a notification regarding the appointment of the Lahore High Court judge after approval by President Arif Alvi.
The notification read: “In exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 177 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President is pleased to appoint Mrs Ayesha A Malik, a judge of the Lahore High Court, […] as a judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan with effect from the date she takes oath of her office.”
On January 19, the parliamentary committee on Judges Appointment had unanimously approved the nomination of Justice Ayesha Malik as a top court judge.
A member of the committee had said that the decision was made in light of Justice Ayesha’s gender.
However, the official had insisted that the seniority principle will be adhered to in the future.
Justice Ayesha, who ranks number four on the LHC judges’ seniority list, became a judge in March 2012.
She will now work as a Supreme Court judge until June 2031. She could also become the chief justice after the retirement of Justice Yahya Afridi in January 2030.
