ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has issued a land mark verdict on Thursday by ordering the removal of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri in the fake degree case.
The case is being heard by Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan.
After the Pakistan Army initiated a process of self-accountability and took action against its former spy chief, the courts have now begun to follow a similar path of accountability.
The court has ordered the Law Ministry to issue de-notification issue.
Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), is facing a high-profile legal challenge over the authenticity of his law degree.
A petition has been filed questioning the validity of his LLB from the University of Karachi and his appointment as a judge. The petition alleges that the academic records are fraudulent, rendering the degree invalid.
The controversy arose after documents surfaced suggesting that dual enrollment numbers were allegedly used for a single degree, which the university says is not possible. An inquiry by Karachi University reportedly found evidence of tampering and forgery in the degree and mark sheets, declaring them not genuine.
An IHC division bench, headed by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar, ruled the fake degree case maintainable and issued notices to the concerned parties.
Justice Jahangiri has contested the IHC’s actions in higher courts, including approaching the Federal Constitutional Court against the order declaring the petition maintainable.
The judge has strongly denied the allegations, asserting that his degree is genuine. He has also raised objections to the bench handling the case and is pursuing legal steps to challenge the proceedings.
Justice Jahangiri was among six IHC judges who last year wrote to the SJC, alleging interference in judicial matters by intelligence agencies. The letter triggered a broader debate on judicial independence and prompted calls for an inquiry.
