Justice Ayesha Malik on Monday took her oath as a Supreme Court judge and formally became the country’s first-ever female judge to reach the apex court.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed administered the oath to Justice Malik in a ceremony held at the ceremonial hall of the Supreme Court.

In a brief interaction with reporters after the oath-taking ceremony, the chief justice said that Justice Malik was competent enough to become a Supreme Court judge and that no one deserves any credit for her elevation.

The top judge was then asked if Justice Malik was considered for elevation to the top court for being a woman or her standing as a judge.

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) had earlier this month approved Justice Malik for elevation by a majority of five to four during a heated session that had lasted nearly three-and-a-half hours.