As Justice Ayesha Malik took oath today (Monday) as the first female Supreme Court judge in Pakistan, several politicians and journalists took to Twitter to express their joy over the historic achievement.
Justice Ayesha Malik attended a ceremony in Islamabad where she now sits on the bench alongside 16 male colleagues at the apex court. Malik’s elevation to the apex court of Pakistan may clear the way for more women to enter the historically conservative and male-dominated judiciary.
Lawmakers across the political spectrum as well as journalists rejoiced, sharing pictures and videos of the oath-taking ceremony and terming it “historic” and “inspirational”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Justice Malik and wished her all the best.
I want to congratulate Justice Ayesha Malik on becoming the first woman judge of the Supreme Court. I wish her all the best.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 24, 2022
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry deemed Justice Ayesha’s appointment a “landmark elevation”, adding that he hopes she will be “an asset to our judicial hierarchy”.
A powerful picture symbolises the women empowerment in Pakistan, I hope she will be an asset to our Judicial hierarchy… Congratulations #JusticeAyeshaMalik a land mark elevation pic.twitter.com/BZplrXquOK
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 24, 2022
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called it “a great day for Pakistan”.
A great day for Pakistan as our first woman Supreme Court judge takes oath.
Congratulations Justice Ayesha Malik and congratulations Pakistan! pic.twitter.com/Iotw8pek7Y
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) January 24, 2022
Similar sentiments were shared by Parliamentary Secretary for Law Maleeka Bokhari who exhorted all girls watching, “BELIEVE in yourself – Follow your DREAMS- REPEAT after me- NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE!”
So Powerful- defining moment for our country & for all the girls watching this -BELIEVE in yourself – Follow your DREAMS- REPEAT after me- NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE! pic.twitter.com/5yVtXzHsqV
— Maleeka Bokhari (@MalBokhari) January 24, 2022
PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman congratulated the newly appointed judge, sharing a picture of the ceremony with the caption: “This is a picture full of promise and hope for the wonderful, talented, bright, courageous young women of Pakistan! Follow your dreams, be the change.”
Always believe you can do this! This is a picture full of promise and hope for the wonderful, talented, bright, courageous young women of Pakistan! Follow your dreams, be the change. #ayeshamalik ko bohat mubarak. Pakistan ko mubarak ???? pic.twitter.com/cUVaU66uSf
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) January 24, 2022
“Justice Ayesha Malik takes oath as the first ever woman judge of Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Also a symbol of how women’s struggles over the past four decades have pushed back patriarchal structures and gender stereotypes. Long way to go but small victories matter,” wrote journalist Raza Rumi.
Historic. Justice Ayesha Malik takes oath as the first ever woman judge of Pakistan’s Supreme Court. Also a symbol of how women’s struggles over the past four decades have pushed back patriarchal structures and gender stereotypes.
Long way to go but small victories matter. ???????? pic.twitter.com/cI3nUV2Ar0— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) January 24, 2022
