Islamabad: Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri personally appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday in connection with a case concerning an alleged controversy over his academic degree.
The hearing was conducted by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan. During the proceedings, Justice Jahangiri approached the rostrum, after which the court directed the lawyers present to remain seated.
Chief Justice Dogar stated that he was making the request in his capacity as Chief Justice, asking lawyers to take their seats as Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri was present before the court.
Justice Jahangiri informed the bench that he had received the notice only on Thursday and argued that, under the law, he was entitled to receive the complete case record. He requested access to all relevant documents and formally raised an objection to the bench.
Presenting his stance, Justice Jahangiri stated that both he and the Chief Justice were judges and that an appeal filed by him against the Chief Justice was currently pending. He requested that his objection be placed on record, asserting that a division bench had never heard the writ of quo warranto, thereby affecting his right to be heard by a division bench. He added that he had been restrained from performing judicial duties without being given an opportunity to be heard.
Justice Jahangiri further argued that despite objections to the petition, he was barred from work without a hearing. He said the Supreme Court had directed that the maintainability of the petition be decided first; however, notices were issued without hearing him. He also pointed out that a petition pending for one and a half years was taken up with only a three-day notice.
Warning against opening a “Pandora’s box,” Justice Jahangiri said it would have far-reaching consequences. Placing his hand on the Holy Quran, he swore under oath that his degree is genuine. He expressed a lack of confidence in the present bench and requested that the case be transferred to another bench. He also sought time to submit a detailed reply.
During the hearing, the Islamabad High Court summoned the Registrar of Karachi University along with the complete record. The court directed that all relevant documents be provided to Justice Jahangiri, while the petitioner requested that the case be heard on a day-to-day basis.