Pakistan's sharia court gets first female judge in 33 years

Karachi: For the first time in its history, a 56-year-old female judge was today sworn-in at Pakistan’s national sharia court, which hears cases under the Islamic legislation. Ashraf Jehan, who was serving as an additional judge at the Sindh High Court, took oath, becoming the first female judge to be appointed in the court’s 33-year history. [caption id=“attachment_1315099” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A paramilitary soldier stands guard at the main entrance of the Sindh High Court in Karachi. Reuters[/caption] The court was established in 1980 during the rule of military dictator Ziaul Haq as part of his policy towards Islamisation of Pakistan’s institutions. The law is also known as known as the ‘Hudood Laws’, which run parallel to the penal code. Chief Justice of the Shariat Court Agha Rafiq Ahmed said, “I took the initiative as it would send the message in the world that we are enlightened people and would dispel many misconceptions.” PTI