ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday suspended an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order that had restrained Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing judicial duties. The order was linked to allegations that he obtained a fake law degree more than three decades ago.
A constitutional bench of the Supreme Court set aside the IHC’s September 16 ruling and issued notices to all relevant parties on Justice Jahangiri’s petition. His counsel, senior lawyer Munir A. Malik, had earlier requested the suspension of the IHC’s order.
Background of the IHC Ruling
Earlier this month, a two-member IHC bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, had barred Justice Jahangiri from working until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) announced its decision. The IHC maintained that the judge must step aside while the allegations were under investigation.
Reacting strongly to the verdict, Justice Jahangiri said, “They are cancelling my degree after 34 years; this has never happened in history.” He later moved the Supreme Court to challenge the IHC ruling.
Allegations of Fake Degree
The controversy first surfaced in July 2024, when the University of Karachi issued multiple official letters declaring Justice Jahangiri’s LL.B degree as allegedly fake.
According to university records, the judge obtained his degree through Government Islamia Law College in 1991 under questionable circumstances involving two separate enrollment numbers.
- In 1989, he appeared in LL.B Part One under Enrollment No. AIL 5968, registered as Tariq Jahangiri, son of Muhammad Akram.
- In 1991, he passed LL.B Part Two under Enrollment No. AIL 7124/87, listed as Tariq Mehmood, son of Qazi Muhammad Akram.
However, the University revealed that Enrollment No. AIL 5968 was originally allotted to Imtiaz Ahmad, son of Muhammad Elahia, while both numbers were allegedly misused under names connected to Justice Jahangiri.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court’s suspension of the IHC order offers temporary relief to Justice Jahangiri. The case will now proceed before the apex court, while the SJC continues its independent inquiry into the degree controversy.
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