The Government has amended the Judicial Employee Regulations to allow female judicial employees to wear the niqab at work, the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) announced this week.

According to a circular signed by Chief Judicial Administrator Uz Amjad Mustafa, Section 129 of Judicial Employee Regulations 2015 has been revised to expand the existing dress code. Previously, the regulation required staff to be identifiable when interacting with members of the public.

The amendment clarifies that while accountability and visibility remain essential in providing judicial services, female employees will not be barred from wearing a niqab. Under the new provision, if identification is required, staff wearing the niqab must reveal their face to a court official or a designated female employee of the relevant agency.