Peshawar, 3 April 2023 (TDI): The United States (US) Consulate in Peshawar extended its congratulations to Justice Musarrat Hilali on her historic appointment as the first female Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC).

“Justice Musarrat Hilali’s promotion is a testament to her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to the legal profession.

She has proven herself as an accomplished jurist and a role model for women in the legal community,” said the US Consulate.

Notably, Justice Hilali’s appointment is also significant as it marks the second time in Pakistan’s history that a woman has been appointed as the Chief Justice of a high court.

For the record, the first woman to be appointed as the Chief Justice of a high court in Pakistan was Justice Tahira Safdar. She served as the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court from September 2018 to October 2019.

Thus, this is a momentous occasion that deserves recognition and celebration. It is a step towards gender equality and the empowerment of women in Pakistan.

Journey of Justice Musarrat Hilali

For the information, Justice Musarrat Hilali’s journey to this esteemed position is remarkable. She received her law degree from Khyber Law College of the University of Peshawar and enrolled as an advocate of district courts in 1983.

She later became an advocate of the high court in 1988 and an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2006.

Justice Musarrat Hilali
Photo of Justice Hilali

Throughout her career, Justice Hilali has shattered glass ceilings and broken down barriers. She was the first female elected office-bearer in the post of secretary at the bar from 1988-1989.

Moreover, she twice served as the Vice President of the bar from 1992 to 1994, the general secretary from 1997 to 1998, and the first female twice elected as an executive member of the Supreme Court Bar Association from 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.

Justice Musarrat Hilali’s accomplishments are not limited to the legal profession. She was also the first female additional advocate general of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from November 2001 to March 2004.

After this, she got appointed as the first female chairperson of the KP Environmental Protection Tribunal. She also served as the first female Ombudsman for the Protection against Harassment of Women in the Workplace.

Additionally, Justice Hilali was elevated to the bench as an additional judge on March 26, 2013, and confirmed as a permanent PHC judge on March 13, 2014.

Her appointment as the first female Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court is a recognition of her excellent service and her commitment to justice and the rule of law.

So, the US Consulate in Peshawar is proud to have Justice Hilali as one of the US International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumni from 1993.

The US consulate recognized that her appointment is an inspiration to women everywhere and serves as a reminder that with hard work and perseverance, “anything is possible.”

We wish Justice Musarrat Hilali all the best in her new role and are confident that she will continue to make a positive impact on the legal profession in Pakistan.

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