President Arif Alvi on Friday gave final approval to the elevation of Lahore High Court Justice Ayesha Malik as a judge of the Supreme Court.

A notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice said President Alvi had approved her appointment under sub-section one of Article 177 of the Constitution.

Justice Ayesha will make history as the first female Supreme Court judge in the judicial history of Pakistan. Her tenure will begin from the date she takes the oath of office.

The committee, under the chairmanship of Law Minister Farooq H. Naek, had decided to approve Justice Ayesha's elevation after the Judicial Commission of Pakistan finally acquiesced to her nomination.

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan had on January 7 approved the elevation with a vote of five for and four against after a heated discussion on whether judges should be appointed based on merit or seniority.

It is pertinent to mention here that Justice Ayesha Malik is ranked fourth in the Lahore High Court in terms of seniority, but is widely respected as a capable judge.