First woman judge sworn into Pakistan’s Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has a girl on its highest court docket for the primary time.

Ayesha Malik’s swearing-in on Monday as a justice on Pakistan’s Supreme Court docket was a landmark second for the Islamic nation the place girls usually battle to get justice — particularly in instances involving sexual assault.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad administered Malik’s oath-taking in Islamabad. The occasion had been a controversial improvement for Pakistan’s male-dominated judicial system. Malik’s appointment, confirmed final week by Pakistani President Arif Alvi, silenced a few of her critics who opposed her promotion on technical grounds.

Congratulations flowed from the highest, with Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeting of Malik, 55, “I want her all one of the best.”

Pakistani Sen. Sherry Rehman shared a photograph of Malik’s the oath-taking on Twitter. International Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi additionally tweeted, saying Malik’s swearing in was “an incredible day for Pakistan.”

The method to raise Malik from the Punjab provincial excessive court docket, which she joined in 2012, had been unusually contentious. A nine-member judicial fee recommends judges for promotion. 5 members of the fee supported Malik’s appointment, whereas the opposite 4 opposed it.

Malik’s allies hope her appointment clears the way in which for extra promotions of ladies in Pakistan’s courts.

Girls in Pakistan battle to get justice - particularly in instances involving sexual assault. Authorities and society solid doubt on the victims in lots of instances.

Malik beforehand labored on the Lahore Excessive Court docket, the second highest court docket in judicial system.

In response to the Supreme Court docket’s website online, Malik acquired her early schooling from colleges in Paris and New York, and later earned her legislation diploma from Harvard Regulation College, the place she was named a London H. Gammon Fellow for excellent benefit.