Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. Photo: IHC
Islamabad High Court Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri appeared before a division bench on Monday on a petition challenging the validity of his law degree. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, heard the case regarding the quo warranto petition, which has been pending for over a year.
“You are also a judge and I am also a judge. My appeal against you is pending,” Jahangiri told Chief Justice Dogar, requesting that the objection be registered. He noted that judges had filed an appeal against CJ Dogar’s transfer, arguing that this created a conflict of interest.
Justice Jahangiri claimed he was barred from judicial work without being heard, despite raising objections to the petition. He questioned receiving only three days’ notice for a petition filed a year and a half ago.
Read: IHC to hear eligibility challenge against Justice Jahangiri
He further argued that the court violated its own procedures, claiming that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had never heard a quo warranto petition through a division bench before. “My right to a division bench has been affected,” he said.
“Don’t open this Pandora’s box, everyone’s turbans will be blown off,” Justice Jahangiri said. He defended his credentials, swearing on the Quran that his degree is genuine and noted that Karachi University had never stated that his degree was fake.
“I have no confidence in you. You shall not hear this matter,” Jahangiri told Dogar. The Chief Justice replied: “It’s okay, it makes no difference; that decision has already been made. You were kind enough to take everyone to the Supreme Court”.
When Justice Jahangiri insisted that he should have been given proper notice, CJ Dogar said it had already happened. “No, sir, it has not. They should have issued a notice to me,” Justice Jahangiri replied.
Read more: IHC suspends Justice Jahangiri amid fake degree controversy
Citing judicial history, Justice Jahangiri said such treatment was unprecedented. “Even a patwari is not prevented from working the way you stopped me,” he remarked. He pointed out that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had granted a stay on the cancellation of his degree and suggested that the matter should be left to the Supreme Judicial Council.
Chief Justice Dogar assured Jahangiri that he would receive justice like anyone else. The court ordered records from Karachi University’s registrar and ordered all documents to be delivered to Justice Jahangiri.
The petitioner asked for daily hearings saying too much time had already passed and Justice Jahangiri sought more time to file his reply.
The hearing has been adjourned until Thursday.
