Supreme Court Restores Justice Jahangiri After IHC Restraint
Islamabad: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday suspended the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) interim order that had barred Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing his judicial duties, effectively allowing him to resume his work, as reported.
Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Justice Jahangiri expressed his astonishment over the controversy, saying, “I have filed a petition in the Sindh High Court. Surprisingly, a degree is being cancelled after 34 years. There is no precedent for this in world history.”
The issue arose after the University of Karachi, on September 26, officially declared Justice Jahangiri’s LLB degree fake and cancelled it. Following this, the Islamabad High Court had issued an order restraining him from judicial duties amid a petition challenging his appointment as a judge.
During Monday’s hearing, senior lawyer Muneer A. Malik argued that the IHC’s restraining order ignored legal principles and failed to meet the standards of justice. He highlighted that it was unprecedented for a two-member high court bench to bar one of its own judges from performing judicial work.
Justice Jahangiri, present in the courtroom, assured, “I will go today and hear cases.”
Several bar councils, including the Islamabad Bar Council and the District Bar, also sought to join the proceedings.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail clarified that the Supreme Court’s review was limited to the High Court’s interim order, noting that the SC had previously ruled that a sitting judge cannot be barred from performing judicial duties. He added that the Supreme Judicial Council is scheduled to meet on October 18 to examine the matter further.
Justice Shahid Bilal also raised concerns about procedural issues, questioning how the registrar’s office had numbered the petition against Justice Jahangiri despite objections.
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