In a historic moment for the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA), Sabahat Rizvi has become the first woman Secretary in the Association’s 130-year history.
Rizvi won the election by securing 4310 votes, while her opponents Mian Irfan and Qadir Baksh Chahal received 3745 and 2627 votes, respectively.
Rizvi was backed by the Asma Jahangir group, also known as the “Independent group.” Meanwhile, Ishtiaq A Khan, supported by the Hamid Khan group, clinched the seat of President with 7293 votes. Another female candidate, Rabbiya Bajwa, was elected as Vice President with 3590 votes.
As a trailblazing lawyer, Rizvi has always been determined to break down gender barriers. She joined the bar in 2002 and gained extensive experience working in various law firms across Lahore. She specializes in civil, corporate, and family law and is currently a partner at Commons Law Company.
Rizvi’s dedication to human rights is just as strong as her commitment to the law. She has been involved in enacting important laws such as the Transgender Protection Act 2018 and has worked tirelessly to safeguard the Khwajasira community from violence. Her pro bono work for female prisoners demonstrates her devotion to legal justice for the most vulnerable.
As a young female lawyer, Rizvi is acutely aware of the challenges faced by women in the legal system. She is determined to address the lack of female representation in the courts and the bar association and to combat the gender bias that still persists in the field.
Many senior lawyers have congratulated Rizvi on her historic win and expressed hope that she will work towards making the High Court Bar more gender-inclusive. Her campaign has already gained significant momentum in the High Court, with senior lawyers such as Abid Saqi showing their support for her bid to make history.
