Division bench, comprising Justice Irshad Qaisar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, heard cases relating to 73 petitions. PHOTO: FILE
For the first time in the judicial history of Pakistan, two female judges of the Peshawar High Court formed a bench, hearing various petitions on Thursday.
Receiving a warm welcome by lawyers and litigants present inside the courtroom, the division bench, comprising Justice Irshad Qaisar and Justice Musarrat Hilali, heard cases relating to 73 petitions.
Apart from being a historic occasion, lawyers said it would project a softer image of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). They added it would send a message to the world that Pakistani women not only can fly jets, treat patients and fight for the homeland but are now also part of the judiciary.
“Never in the judicial history of the country has there ever been such an occasion. None of the other high courts of the country has a bench comprising two female judges exclusively,” said Barrister Bacha.
Justice Qaisar became the second female judge after she took oath as PHC judge in July 2012 after a gap of 18 years. Justice Hilali became the third female PHC judge in March.
The first woman to enter the PHC as a judge was Justice Khalida Rashid, who took oath in 1994.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2013.
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Among all the bad things happening to Pukhtoons in FATA & KP, this news is worth reading and heartening. The Pukhtoons of the plain areas have always remained progressive but in the Zia era they were brainwashed as being militants and fighters and hence their image as a violent and extremist nation appeared to the outer world. In fact, Pukhtoons are culturally peaceful despite having no formal state law enforcement. The women, particularly the educated, are pride for us and shall be.I wish to see Pukhtoon women in every field of life so that we could benefit from their talents as well. Naeem Khan! I agree with you. Hope more such news come from Peshawar soon.
I am from Punjab & have lived in Peshawar for 3 years on an assignment ,it was a rewarding & enjoyable stay.I am amazed that except Naeem Khan no one has noticed this heartening news. I congratulate my fellow Pakistanis in KPK for having lady judges in PHC.God bless Pakistan & KPK.
Pukhtuns were always progressive people but the Afghan-Russian war brougt this curse of guns,drugs and religious extremism. I was born and raised in Mardan, and during those years of my youth in the early 60s, I never saw this kind of havoc imposed on the people of KP, what has gone wrong with our people. I recall the fights were always about where to put schools and colleges. Peshawar University and the associate colleges were the pride of Pukhtuns and we saluted Abdul Qayum Khan for that achievement who was never accused of any corruption, later in his life he was living with his daughter and did not even own his own home. I wish we could have people like that among us who work for the benefit of the citizens of KP and not for themselves.I feel pride of these three female judges and it shows that our female population is as smart as any other people around the world.Kudos to these judges.