Pakistan has made history by appointing its first female chief justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Justice Musarrat Hilali. President Dr. Arif Alvi announced her appointment on Wednesday, April 1, making her the second woman to become the chief justice of a high court in Pakistan after Justice Tahira Safdar, who served as the chief justice of the Balochistan High Court from September 2018 to October 2019.
Justice Musarrat Hilali’s promotion to the position comes as she is the most senior PHC judge, according to a notification from the Ministry of Law and Justice. She will hold the position until the appointment of a regular chief justice by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
Born in Peshawar on August 8, 1961, Justice Hilali received her law degree from Khyber Law College of the University of Peshawar. She enrolled as an advocate of district courts in 1983, as an advocate of the high court in 1988, and as an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2006.
This appointment is a significant achievement for Justice Hilali and the women of Pakistan. Women’s representation in the legal profession has historically been low, with many facing barriers to entry and advancement. However, with the appointment of Justice Hilali, the country is taking a step forward towards gender equality in the legal profession.
This appointment sends a positive message to women across Pakistan that they can achieve their dreams and succeed in any profession, even in fields where women’s representation has historically been low. It is also a reminder that the contributions of women to the legal profession are invaluable, and their voices must be heard in the courts of law.
Justice Musarrat Hilali’s appointment is a momentous occasion, and we hope to see more women in Pakistan follow in her footsteps, breaking down barriers and pushing towards gender equality in all professions. Congratulations to Justice Hilali on this well-deserved achievement!
