ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP): Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Waqar Ahmed Thursday breathed his last after falling victim to the deadly Covid-19 virus, a spokesperson of the Court said.
The spokesperson of the Peshawar High Court said the Chief Justice was diagnosed with coronavirus and was under treatment at a hospital in Islamabad.
The late Chief Justice was hailed by the people for his principles and judgements.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp spike in the Covid-19 cases in the past few weeks, with the number of fresh cases rising above 1800 a day and the death toll going up to 34.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in a message said he was saddned to learn of the demise of the Chief Justice. “May his soul rest in peace. Ameen. My condolences go to his family.”
Saddened to learn of the passing of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court Waqar Ahmed Seth. May his soul rest in peace – Ameen. My condolences & prayers go to his family.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 12, 2020
President Dr Arif Alvi also condoled the sad demise of Justice Waqar, and prayed to Almighty Allah to give strength to the family to bear this loss.
My Condolences on the sad demise of the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court Waqar Ahmed Seth.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
May his soul rest in peace and may Allah give strength to his family to bear this loss.— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 12, 2020
Similar messages of condolences poured in from all segments of the society.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, #COAS expresses grief on passing away of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court, Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth . “May Allah bless his soul & give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen”, COAS.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 12, 2020
Pakistan Bar Council ( PBC) and Supreme Court Bar, Peshawar High Court Bar Association have expressed grief and sorrow over the death of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court.
Vice Chairman PBC, Abid Saqqi in a statement said country has been deprived of a leading, honest and upright Judge of the country. He said his historic judgements and service for rule of law and upholding justice will be remembered for long.
Both the Pakistan Bar Council and Supreme Court Bar Association have announced a day of mourning on Friday.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkwa, Mahmood Khan and provincial cabinet expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth.
According to his profile available at the Peshawar High Court website, the late Chief Justice received his secondary education in the year 1977 from Cantt: Public School, Peshawar and did his Masters in Political Science from University of Peshawar in the year 1986.
He enrolled as an Advocate of the Lower Courts on Dec 18 1985, as an Advocate of the High Court on March 22, 1990 and as Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on May 24, 2008.
In his Judicial Career he was elevated to the Bench as Additional Judge on 2nd August, 2011, remained as Banking Judge, Peshawar High Court, Peshawar as Company Judge, Peshawar High Court and also served as Member Subordinate Judiciary Service Tribunal, Peshawar.
He took oath of his office as a Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court on 28th June, 2018.
Aftab Ahmed Sherpao in a message said “in his we have lost a brave and honest person who was well respected by the lawyers fraternity.”
Deeply grieved by the sad demise of #Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Seth. In him we have lost a brave and honest person who was well respected by the lawyers fraternity. May his soul rest in peace#JusticeWaqarSeth #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/h4WqtRCDW2
— Aftab Khan Sherpao (@AftabSherpao) November 12, 2020
The funeral prayers for the late Chief Justice would be offered on Friday at old army stadium ground at 02:30 in the afternoon.