Islamabad: Amna Zamir Shah — the first woman judge from Pakistan’s northernmost region Gilgit-Baltistan — is a shining example of Pakistani women breaking stereotypes and also beacon of hope for many women.
With ten years of legal and judicial experience, Zamir is now the first woman to serve as a civil judge in the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
Zamir is best known for demanding discipline in court.
She fears no one when it comes to making tough decisions.
However, it has taken Zamir — who was confirmed for the post in early March — a long time to earn the respect and admiration of her colleagues.
In her early days, when she took charge of the office, Zamir was not appreciated by lawyers and police officers.
“There were days when no one, especially police officers, would take her court seriously,” a male lawyer recalls.
“It was primarily because she was a woman. But then, her decisions and judgements changed that attitude and set things right,” he told local media.
Zamir soon made her mark as she swiftly decided hundreds of cases, which had been pending for a long time.
She has been settling an average of 100 cases per month including civil, criminal and family cases, according to court officials.
With her determination towards work and fairness in her court decisions, she has gradually changed the mindsets of the people who look at court as a male-dominated field. “She is a highly competent judge and I must say she has raised the stature of (Pakistan) judiciary,” said lawyer Shakeel Ahmad.
Journey from Hunza Valley to Britain
Hailing from Hunza Valley where the literacy rate surprisingly is almost 100 per cent, Zamir completed her LLB (Bachelor of Laws) from the International Islamic University Islamabad in 2004 and later her LLM in Human Rights from University of Leicester in United Kingdom by winning the Chevening scholarship through the British Council in 2009.
Zamir later went on to secure the top spot in the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) competitive examinations in 2016, after which she was appointed a civil judge in Gilgit-Baltistan.
UK top alumni award holder
Recently, Amna Zamir was awarded the UK Top Alumni Award 2017 by British High Commissioner Tom Drew for being an outstanding professional.
She was among three Pakistani chosen for this top award from a list of hundred applicants.
The award recognises the outstanding achievements made by UK alumni in Pakistan.
According to British Council, Amna Zamir is also associated with several civil society organisations that offer free legal aid to disadvantaged people.
Education, devotion and willpower motivated Amna Zamir to rise in her society as the first female judge of the region, inspiring many Pakistan girls from underdeveloped regions to reach for their dreams.
