Bench Ruling
A two‑member bench of the Islamabad High Court, headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, has ruled that Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri’s appointment as a judge was unlawful. The order came after questions were raised about the authenticity of his LLB degree, which the court found invalid under Article 175 of the Constitution. The bench directed the Ministry of Law to de‑notify him immediately.
Degree Controversy
The case stemmed from a petition filed by lawyer Mian Daud, who challenged Jahangiri’s eligibility on the grounds of a fake law degree. During the hearing, Karachi University Registrar Imran Siddiqui testified that Jahangiri’s degree had been cancelled and that records showed he was never a registered student of Islamia Law College. He further alleged that Jahangiri had once been caught cheating, banned for three years, and later attempted exams using a forged enrollment form.
Courtroom Atmosphere
Thursday’s hearing lasted nearly two hours, with strict restrictions inside the courtroom, mobile phones were barred for lawyers and journalists. Justice Jahangiri did not appear in person, instead represented by senior lawyers Akram Sheikh and Barrister Salahuddin. Sheikh argued that the petition should not have been admitted, claiming the court lacked jurisdiction and that due process was being violated. Salahuddin contended that propaganda had been spread for over a year about Jahangiri’s degree and insisted the issue was one of procedural irregularities, not outright forgery.
Arguments and Counterclaims
The defense maintained that Karachi University had itself acknowledged irregularities in the issuance of Jahangiri’s degree, which was later revoked decades after being granted. They argued that the matter was still pending before the Sindh High Court, which had suspended related proceedings. The bench, however, noted that Jahangiri had been given multiple opportunities to present valid documents but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation or evidence.
The Verdict
After deliberations, the bench concluded that Jahangiri did not possess the constitutional qualifications required to serve as a judge. The written judgment, spanning three pages, stated that since he was not eligible to practice law, he could not have been appointed under Article 175‑A as a High Court judge. His appointment and subsequent confirmation were therefore declared illegal. The court ordered the Ministry of Law to de‑notify him and circulated copies of the ruling to relevant authorities.
Aftermath
Justice Jahangiri reportedly left the court premises before the decision was announced. The ruling has intensified debate over judicial appointments and the verification of academic credentials, raising broader questions about accountability within the judiciary.