First female judge appointed to Federal Shariah court

[Edevelop]

KARACHI: The national Shariah court, which hears cases under the Islamic legislation, appointed a female judge to its panel on Monday, the first time in its 33 year history.

Ashraf Jehan, 56, who was serving as an additional judge at the Sindh high court, made history as she took the oath as a Sharia Court Judge in Karachi.

“It was a historic oath-taking ceremony today when an able lady judge had joined the Shariat Court,” Agha Rafiq Ahmed, the chief justice of the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan, told AFP.

The court was established in 1980 during the rule of military dictator Ziaul Haq.

It examines the country’s laws to check them for conformity with Islamic injunctions and hears appeals under religious legislation known as the “Hudood Laws”, which run parallel to the penal code.

“There was no bar in the constitution to make a woman the judge of Shariat Court and there is no discrimination between men and women,” Ahmed said.

The chief justice of the Shariat court, who rarely speaks to the media, said he was pleased to comment on an historic moment.

“I took the initiative as it would send the message in the world that we are enlightened people and would dispel many misconceptions,” he said.

First female judge appointed to Federal Shariah court – The Express Tribune

 

[RescueRanger]

Great news, thank you for sharing. Didn't remember reading about this. Also +1 for ET, good paper.

 

[Kurama]

Congrats Pakistan..
Good news.
But IMO Sharia should be dropped(Though it's your country, Your Law.)