Justice Jahangiri objects to IHC chief justice’s hearing degree case

Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri appeared before an Islamabad High Court (IHC) divisional bench — hearing a petition challenging his degree — on Monday and formally objected to the inclusion of IHC Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar on the bench, Aaj News reported.

Justice Jahangiri cited a “conflict of interest” as he has challenged the chief justice’s seniority in the Supreme Court. Hence, he said, he had “no confidence” in the current bench.

Justice Jahangiri, who was barred from judicial work after receiving a notice last week, presented his arguments before the court in the “fake degree case”.

“You are also a judge, as am I. Your seniority has been challenged in the Supreme Court. This is a conflict of interest, and you cannot sit against me in this case,” Justice Jahangiri told IHC CJ Dogar.

Karachi University declares Justice Tariq Jahangiri’s degree forged

He contended that a writ of quo warranto (challenging the authority to hold office) should typically be heard by a single bench, not a divisional bench. He called the entire procedure, including one judge issuing a notice to another, “unusual.”

Justice Jahangiri asserted under oath that his 34-year-old degree is genuine and that the university has never questioned its authenticity.

Justice Jahangiri requested more time to submit a reply and appoint a lawyer, stating that he received the notice on Thursday without a copy of the petition, and that three days was insufficient time.

The chief justice, in response, remarked that justice would be served to him just as it is served to anyone else.

The court subsequently rejected Justice Jahangiri’s objection to the bench. It then summoned the registrar of the Karachi University along with the relevant academic record and adjourned the hearing until December 18.

The Karachi University (KU) last week declared the degree of Justice Jahangiri to be forged.

The Controller of Examinations for the university had stated that not only were the enrollment numbers fabricated on the degree and mark-sheet, but other documents were also tampered.

Case background

In July 2024, Mian Dawood filed a writ of quo warranto in the IHC with the request to probe Justice Jahangiri’s ‘fake law degree’. He had claimed that Justice Jahangiri’s appointment was unconstitutional due to an allegedly invalid degree.

Following which, an IHC bench in September had barred the senior high court judge from performing judicial duties until the Supreme Judicial Council’s (SJC) decision in this regard.

The IHC judge then on September 19 had filed a civil petition, challenging the IHC Division Bench’s order.

University of Karachi revokes IHC judge Tariq Jahangiri’s law degree

Justice Jahangiri had contended that the impugned order is patently illegal, unprecedented in judicial history, and a near-fatal blow to the independence of the judiciary. He had stated that the impugned order was passed in callous disregard of Articles 189 and 209(7) of the Constitution.

It may be recalled that during his appearance in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on September 25, Justice Jahangiri stated that it was the first time that a high court judge was standing in the dock as an accused. He had never received any notice from Karachi university, he had said.

Justice Jahangiri had told the court that his degree was absolutely valid and that he had personally taken the exams, adding that he had never been accused of corruption during his 34 years of service.

The case was heard by a two-member bench of the SHC, which included Justice Saman Rifaat, Justice KK Agha, the additional attorney general, advocate general Sindh, and lawyers from the University of Karachi.

It should be noted that according to Justice Jahangiri’s profile on the IHC website, he had received his law degree from the Govt Islamia Law College, affiliated with the University of Karachi, in 1991.

Justice Jahangiri was among the six judges of the IHC who wrote a joint letter to the Supreme Judicial Council in March 2024, making serious allegations of interference by intelligence agencies, especially the ISI, in judicial matters.

Following a letter written by six judges of the IHC against intelligence agencies, a petition was filed by a citizen at the University of Karachi, requesting access to Justice Jahangiri’s academic record under Article 19 of the Constitution and the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016.

Justice Jahangiri was also part of the three-member bench of the IHC that rejected a petition to disqualify former prime minister Imran Khan for failing to declare Tyrian White as his daughter in his nomination papers.