The Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench hearing the Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri degree case was dissolved on Tuesday. The development followed Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro excusing himself from the bench.
The bench was initially composed of Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro. It was scheduled to hear the case today, but proceedings could not continue after Justice Soomro’s withdrawal.
The dissolution of the bench has temporarily delayed any progress in the case. The main issue concerns the verification and authenticity of Justice Tariq Jahangiri’s degree, which has been under judicial review.
Bar Council Application Deferred
Alongside the main case, the IHC was set to hear a miscellaneous application filed by the Islamabad Bar Association. The Bar Association sought permission to become a party in the case.
However, due to the breakup of the bench, the IHC deferred the application. Both the main case and the Bar Council’s petition were adjourned without any proceedings.
Legal experts note that the adjournment means a fresh bench will need to be constituted to continue hearings. Until then, the case remains pending, leaving questions regarding the timeline for judicial review unanswered.
The IHC’s decision to dissolve the bench highlights the challenges courts face when bench members recuse themselves or withdraw from cases. Such actions often lead to procedural delays and require the formation of a new bench to ensure continuity.
Observers say the case has significant implications for the judiciary, given that it involves verification of a judge’s academic credentials. Both the legal community and the public are closely monitoring the situation, as the case may set precedents for future verification processes.
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The IHC is expected to announce the formation of a new bench soon. Once constituted, hearings on Justice Tariq Jahangiri’s degree and the Bar Council’s application will resume.
