Jazeela Aslam to serve as Supreme Court's 'first-ever' woman registrar

ISLAMABAD: The newly-appointed Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Sunday appointed Jazeela Aslam as the Supreme Court's (SC) "first-ever" woman registrar.

Pursuant to the apex court's notification, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has also handed over Aslam's, the district and sessions judge from Okara — services to the apex court.

Aslam will serve as the top court's registrar for a period of three years on deputation.

Separately, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed — serving as a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Shariah and Law at Shifa Tameer e Milat University — has been appointed as CJP Isa's secretary, whereas Balochistan's Abdul Sadiq — serving as a security officer in the Balochistan High Court (BHC) — will serve as the new CJP's staff officer.

Earlier in the day, Justice Isa took oath as the 29th CJP after his predecessor Umar Ata Bandial hung up his robes on Saturday. President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath at a ceremony — attended by top government and military officials, including caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, and Army Chief General Asim Munir — held at the President House in Islamabad.

Jazeela Aslam's appointment as the first-ever woman Supreme Court's registrar comes to the newly-appointed CJP in his oath-taking ceremony earlier in the day was accompanied by his wife Sarina Isa who stood beside her husband, marking a symbolic gesture in the country's judicial history.

Throughout the oath-taking proceedings, the CJP's wife stood next to him, as he vowed to uphold the rule of law, abide by Pakistan's Constitution, and ensure justice under his watch as the country's top judge until October 25, 2024.

The move garnered praise from various sections of the society including several politicians and journalists.

President Alvi administered the oath at a ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad. Top government and military officials, including caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Army Chief General Asim Munir, senators and foreign ambassadors, attended the ceremony.

However, Justice Isa's tenure as the country's chief justice will be quite brief, as he is set to retire on October 25, 2024.

With a 45-year-long career in the legal field, Justice Isa possesses a rich background. Prior to his judicial appointment, he contributed articles on various topics, such as the Constitution, law, Islam, and the environment, to Pakistan's leading English news publications.

With additional input from the APP.