Waqar Ahmed Seth facts for kids

Waqar Ahmed Seth (born March 16, 1961 – died November 12, 2020) was an important Pakistani judge. He served as the top judge, known as the Chief Justice, of the Peshawar High Court from June 2018 until November 2020. He was part of a special court that heard a very important case against Pervez Musharraf. This case was about "high treason," which means betraying one's country. It was a big moment in Pakistan's history because it was the first time a former military leader was found guilty of such a serious crime.

Early Life and Education

Waqar Ahmed Seth was born in Dera Ismail Khan, a city in Pakistan, on March 16, 1961. He went to Cantonment Public School in Peshawar for his early education. In 1977, he earned his Higher Secondary School Certificate from FG Inter College for Boys.

He then studied at Islamia College, Peshawar, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981. Later, he earned a law degree (LLB) from Khyber Law College, Peshawar, in 1985. He also got a Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of Peshawar in 1986.

Becoming a Judge

Waqar Ahmed Seth began his career in December 1985 as a lawyer in lower courts. He worked hard and, by May 24, 2008, he was allowed to practice law in the highest court of Pakistan, the Supreme Court.

His journey as a judge started on August 2, 2011. He was appointed as an additional judge to the Peshawar High Court. This was a big step in his legal career. In June 2018, he was chosen to become the Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, which is the highest judicial position in that region.

The Musharraf Treason Case

In October 2019, Justice Seth was chosen to lead a special court. This court was set up to hear a very important case: the high treason case against Pervez Musharraf. High treason is a serious crime where someone is accused of betraying their country.

On December 17, 2019, the three judges on this special court made a decision. They found Pervez Musharraf guilty of high treason. This decision was very significant and caused a lot of discussion in Pakistan. Some people, including military leaders, disagreed with the court's decision. They felt that Musharraf, who had served the country for many years, could not be a traitor.

Two days later, on December 19, 2019, the court released a detailed document explaining their decision. Justice Seth had written a strong opinion in this document. He suggested that those who helped Musharraf leave the country should also face justice. This part of the judgment was also met with criticism from some government officials.

Judicial Independence and Other Cases

After the court's decision in the Musharraf case, some government officials and military figures criticized Justice Seth. They even suggested that he should be removed from his position as a judge. However, the Pakistani court system is designed to be independent, meaning judges should make decisions without pressure from the government or military.

In November 2018, before the Musharraf case, Justice Seth was part of another important decision. He and another judge at the Peshawar High Court overturned the sentences of 74 people who had been found guilty by military courts. Fifty of these people had been sentenced to death. This decision showed that even military court verdicts could be reviewed by higher civilian courts in Pakistan.

This particular decision by Justice Seth was later used by Pakistan in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). It helped Pakistan argue that its courts are independent. This was important in a case involving an Indian spy named Kalbhushan Yadav. The ICJ noted Justice Seth's verdict as proof that military court decisions could be reviewed in Pakistan. This meant Yadav could also ask for his case to be reviewed.

Death

Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth became sick with coronavirus on October 22, 2020. He was taken to a hospital in Peshawar. Sadly, he passed away from the infection on November 12, 2020.

See also

• Arshad Malik (judge)