Newly-appointed Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa Sunday took the oath of office with his wife, Sarina Isa, standing beside him, marking a symbolic gesture in the country’s judicial history.
Throughout the oath-taking proceedings, the CJP’s wife stood next to him, as he vowed to uphold the rule of law, abide by Pakistan’s Constitution, and ensure justice under his watch as the country’s top judge until October 25, 2024.
This act of Justice Isa today has received immense praise for breaking away from traditions and conveying the important message that women are equal partners.
Sherry Rehman, the former climate change minister and PPP leader, said the act by CJP Isa “sends out an important message”, highlighting the importance of equality and partnership with regard to women.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the politician wrote: “Good to see Justice Qazi Faez Issa ask his wife to also stand with him for his oath taking. Sends out an important message re women and partnerships and equality.”
Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former planning minister, termed it a “commendable tradition”.
“Her [Sarina] courage and bravery in facing the conspiracy intended to prevent the chief justice from taking [the oath of] office today are highly commendable. Surely, Allah honours whomever He wills,” Iqbal posted on X.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, the president of Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), also appreciated the act by the newly-appointed top judge on the microblogging site.
“J[ustice] Qazi Faez Isa broke with tradition & made his wife stand beside him while taking oath as 29th CJP. Thanks & Proud of you J. Isa for conveying the strong message that women are equal partners & need to be recognised as such,” he wrote.
Husain Haqqani, former Pakistan ambassador to the United States, said this was a message to those who unjustly harassed Justice Isa’s wife “to try and get J Isa to step down from the bench”.
Reacting to Sarina Isa’s presence on the stage, senior journalist Mariana Baabar said: “Begum Serena Issa being harrasesd for her tax returns attends court with a walking stick, even when her father passed away she was in court.”
Lauding the symbolic moment, she added: “And today…perseverance is the best revenge. Mubarak Begum Sahiba!”
Senior anchorperson Asma Sherazi also termed it “an iconic pic and a message too”.
