The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday barred Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing any judicial work until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) decides on allegations regarding his law degree.
A two‑member bench comprising Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Mohammad Azam Khan issued the order on a petition filed by advocate Mian Dawood against Justice Jahangiri. The bench also appointed two senior lawyers, Zafarullah Khan and former Attorney General of Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf, as amici curiae to assist in considering the validity and maintainability of the case. Additionally, it issued a notice to the Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, seeking his input on whether the petition challenging Justice Jahangiri’s academic qualifications is admissible.
Subsequently, the IHC issued a revised duty roster removing Justice Jahangiri from all bench assignments, including both single‑ and division‑bench hearings.
The decision has prompted further controversy, as legal experts maintain that the SJC is the only competent authority for barring a judge from judicial duties. It also attracted criticism, as the petitioner was unable to attend proceedings and had sought an adjournment that was not granted by the court.
Voicing its protest, the Islamabad Bar Council announced it would stage a strike on Wednesday (today) at both the IHC and the district court. It said a general body meeting would decide its future course of action, adding a rally would be held against the decision.
The law degree controversy stems from the Karachi University’s Syndicate annulling on Aug. 31, 2024 an allegedly “invalid” law degree of Justice Jahangiri on the recommendation of the university’s Unfair Means Committee. In a statement, the varsity said the committee had proposed the cancellation of the “degree and enrollment cards of candidates found guilty of unethical and immoral acts”—though it did not directly mention Justice Jahangiri.
On Sept. 5, 2024, the Sindh High Court suspended the Karachi University’s decision and barred it from taking any further action on a complaint against Justice Jahangiri.
Local media has reported that Justice Jahangiri would likely challenge the IHC order before the Supreme Court after receiving the written order.