A historic moment unfolded for Pakistan’s judiciary on Friday as Justice Mussarat Hilali took the oath as a judge of the Supreme Court. She becomes the second woman to join the esteemed SC, following the appointment of Justice Ayesha A Malik in 2022. The oath-taking ceremony, held at the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial. The occasion witnessed the presence of other judges, lawyers, and dignitaries.
Justice Hilali boasts an illustrious career as both a lawyer and a judge. After obtaining her law degree from Khyber Law College at Peshawar University in 1983, she embarked on her journey as a district court lawyer. In 1988, she admitted to practice law, and in 2006, she gained admission to practice law before the Supreme Court.
Throughout her tenure, she has held various esteemed positions within the legal profession and the judiciary. She notably became the first elected female vice president, general secretary, and officeholder of her organization. Additionally, she secured the distinction of being the first woman to assume an executive role in the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA).
Justice Hilali carved out a path of firsts, as she became the inaugural woman Additional Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 2001 to 2004. Furthermore, she chaired the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Tribunal, cementing her status as the first woman to do so. Adding to her accomplishments, she served as an ombudsman, safeguarding women from workplace harassment.
In 2014, Justice Hilali’s appointment as a permanent judge confirmed, following her initial designation as an additional judge on the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) bench in 2013. In a remarkable turn of events, she ascended to the position of the first female Chief Justice of the PHC and became the head of any high court in Pakistan in 2023.
Justice Hilali’s tenure as a Supreme Court judge will span three years until her retirement. Her trailblazing accomplishments make her a pioneer and role model for women in Pakistan. Moreover, her dedication to women’s rights and environmental protection has contributed significantly to these causes in the country. Ms. Hilali has set a commendable standard of excellence and integrity within the judiciary.