The SC on Monday suspended an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order that had stopped Justice Tariq Jahangiri from carrying out his judicial duties. The IHC had earlier restrained him after allegations surfaced regarding a fake law degree.
A constitutional bench led by Justice Aminuddin Khan set aside the IHC’s September 16 decision. The SC also issued notices to the Attorney General’s Office, petitioner Dawood, and other relevant parties in the case.
Senior lawyer Munir A. Malik, representing Justice Jahangiri, requested the suspension of the IHC order. The SC granted the plea, allowing Justice Jahangiri to resume his work until further proceedings.
Earlier, a two-member IHC bench, including Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, had directed him to step aside until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) concluded its inquiry.
During the hearing in the apex court, Justice Jahangiri expressed his disappointment over the controversy. He remarked that cancelling his degree after more than three decades was unprecedented. When questioned by journalists about speculation surrounding his resignation, he responded briefly: “May Allah do good.”
The case dates back to July 2024, when the University of Karachi declared his LL.B degree as allegedly fake. Records showed that in 1989, Jahangiri appeared in LL.B Part One under Enrollment No. AIL 5968 as “Tariq Jahangiri, son of Muhammad Akram.” Two years later, he cleared Part Two under Enrollment No. AIL 7124/87 as “Tariq Mehmood, son of Qazi Muhammad Akram.”
Officials revealed that Enrollment No. AIL 5968 had actually been assigned to another student, Imtiaz Ahmad. This discrepancy cast doubt on the authenticity of his academic credentials.
For now, the suspension by the SC gives Justice Jahangiri temporary relief. However, the inquiry before the SJC remains ongoing, keeping the matter far from resolved.
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