Quetta (Staff Report): Justice Tahira Safdar was sworn in as the first woman chief justice of Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Saturday.
Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai administered the oath to the newly appointed chief justice.
Tahira Safdar has become the first woman who has been appointed as chief justice of a Pakistani high court.
Justice Tahira has become the 32nd chief justice of the Balochistan High Court, replacing outgoing chief justice, Justice Noor Muhammad Meskanzai whose tenure ended on August 31.
Justice Safdar’s nomination as chief justice of BHC was confirmed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar in July. She will be replacing outgoing chief justice, Justice Noor Muhammad Meskanzai whose tenure ended on Friday.
Speaking at a full court reference on Friday, Justice Meskanzai said that Justice Safdar will be responsible for ensuring justice in the province, as well as safeguarding people’s rights and the writ of law.
According to details shared on website of Balochistan High Court, Justice Safdar was also the first woman civil judge in Balochistan and has the distinction of being the first woman to be appointed in all posts she has served on.
Justice Tahira Safdar is the daughter of Syed Imtiaz Hussain Baqri Hanafi, a renowned lawyer and was born in Quetta on October 5, 1957.
She did her Masters in Urdu Literature from the University of Balochistan and completed her degree in Law from the University Law College, Quetta.
Tahira was elevated as an additional judge of BHC in 2009 and became a BHC judge in 2011.
Justice Safdar is also part of the special court bench hearing the high treason case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
She will serve as BHC chief justice till October 4, 2019.