ISLAMABAD: Justice Ayesha Malik made history on Monday by taking oath as the apex court judge, subsequently becoming the first woman from Pakistan to have ever done so.
Justice Malik was administered the oath by the top judge of the country, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed, at the ceremonial hall. While interacting with the media shortly, the chief justice threw his weight behind Justice Malik, stating that she was qualified to be a Supreme Court judge.
He also said that nobody deserved the credit for her ascension to the country’s top court. However, he also made cryptic remarks when asked whether Justice Malik’s elevation was due to her gender or her standing as a judge, at which the chief justice responded, “Woman”.
Earlier, the Pakistan Bar Council and other associations had strongly opposed Justice Malik’s elevation to the top court, stating that she did not deserve it on the basis of seniority.
