Pakistan appoints first woman to head Balochistan high court

The chief justice of Pakistan's Supreme Court has appointed the first woman chief justice to Balochistan province's highest court.

Saqib Nisar announced Monday the appointment of prominent judge Tahira Safdar effective Sept 1 when she replaces outgoing provincial chief justice Mohammad Noor Muskanzai, who retires Aug 31.

The legal community Tuesday hailed the appointment of Safar, who has heard many high-profile cases.

Safdar was on a three-judge panel that has yet to conclude the trial of former dictator Pervez Musharraf on treason charges, reports AP.

Musharraf, who seized power in 1999, was declared a fugitive in 2013 and since then has been living in self-exile in Dubai to avoid arrest on criminal charges.