LAHORE: Justice Ayesha A Malik on Friday was given a formal send-off by her fellow Lahore High Court judges on her elevation as first woman judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, senior puisne judge Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Justice Shujaat Ali Khan, Justice Shahid Waheed and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi were present.

The judges presented a bouquet to Justice Malik and expressed their wishes for her future journey in the apex court.

Justice Malik was fourth in the seniority of the LHC judges and the bar councils and associations had opposed her elevation to the Supreme Court for ignoring the principle of seniority.

However, the judicial commission approved her elevation with a thin majority of five to four in a second attempt as its first meeting had failed to reach a consensus.

Justice Malik is likely to take oath on Saturday as the president issued final notification for her appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2022