Pakistan has confirmed the appointment of the first woman Supreme Court judge, members of the country’s ruling party said on Thursday.
A commission that decides on the promotion of judges on Thursday voted to make 55-year-old Justice Ayesha Malik the first woman judge on the Supreme Court in the 75 years of the South Asian country’s independence.
“An important and defining moment in our country as a brilliant lawyer and decorated judge has become Pakistan’s first female SC judge,” a member of Pakistan’s ruling Tehreek-e-Insaaf party and Parliamentary Secretary for Law Maleeka Bokhari said on Twitter.
Though historic, the move has been divisive. The nine-member body that was to confirm her appointment turned down her elevation to the top court last year, and Thursday’s repeat vote was also close — divided five votes to four — sources familiar with the proceedings said.
Many lawyers and even judges both inside and outside the forum opposed the move because they say the appointment was made in contravention of seniority lists without any set selection criteria.
