In an unprecedented move during the swearing in ceremony of Justice Qazi Faez Isa, his wife Sarina Isa stood next to him as he took the oath of the office of Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The moment was captured in pictures and videos, which went viral on social media as many experts hailed the moment and spoke about the importance of women.

President Arif Alvi had administered the oath of office to Justice Isa who asked his wife to join him at the stage for the ceremony started. She stood by Justice by the time the oath ended.

Earlier this year, the coalition government withdrew the reference against Justice Isa of the Supreme Court filed in 2019. The-then Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had described the reference as “baseless and politically motivated”.

The reference against Justice Isa was filed by the PTI government in May 2019 for allegedly acquiring three properties in London on lease in the name of his wife and children between 2011 and 2015, but not disclosing them in his wealth returns. Justice Isa contested the allegation, saying he is not a beneficial owner of the flats.

A 10-member SC bench threw out the presidential reference against Justice Isa and termed it “invalid” on June 19, 2020.

Later in 2021, Justice Isa won a case that set aside the top court’s directive to the FBR.

Many had claimed that the reference was filed after a two-judge SC bench comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Musheer Alam wrapped up a suo motu case of the 2017 Faizabad sit-in staged by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.

Reactions

“To have your companion stand with you is a good precedent to set_I hope others will follow,” said journalist Munizae Jahangir in a post on X.

“Good to see Justice Qazi Faez Issa ask his wife to also stand with him for his oath taking,” said PPP leader Sherry Rehman.

Political analyst Nadeem Farooq Paracha spoke about the irony that the people who apparently wanted to remove Justice Isa from the judicial landscape failed in their attempts.

Journalist Abbas Nasir said Serina Isa standing besides Justice Isa was a befitting response to the “evil empire” which tried to stop his march to this high office by attacking her.

“Simply beautiful, it also breaks down many psychological barriers,” said singer-cum-philanthropist Shehzad Roy.