Karachi:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday suspended a notification issued by the University of Karachi (KU) that had revoked the law degree of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. The court’s decision offers temporary relief to the sitting judge in a highly publicized controversy surrounding his academic credentials.
The court’s ruling came during the hearing of a petition filed by Justice Jahangiri, which challenged the August 2024 decisions by the KU’s Unfair Means Committee (UMC) and Syndicate to cancel his degree.
As the hearing commenced, the KU Registrar, the Sindh Advocate General, and other respondents appeared before the court and requested additional time to submit their replies, citing short notice.
Justice Iqbal Kalhoro responded with pointed remarks, emphasizing the need to protect the petitioner’s integrity. “We are ready to give more time but what if any action is taken against the petitioner in this duration? If we accept your request today and any action is taken tomorrow, who will take responsibility in that case?” Justice Kalhoro enquired.
He further questioned whether the respondents had issued any notice to Justice Jahangiri before “taking action against him.” Justice Kalhoro observed that if an application was moved against the judge 30 to 35 years after his degree was issued, he should have been served a notice.
“We are not saying that action cannot be taken against him because the law allows it… [but] how can we put someone’s honour at stake? Someone’s life-long earning is at stake here,” the judge stated, underscoring the severe implications of the university’s decision on the high court judge.
The court adjourned the hearing and directed the respondents to submit their official replies by October 24.
Background of the Petition
In his plea, Justice Jahangiri contended that the “illegal and mala fide” cancellation of his LLB degree was a calculated move linked to his “unflinching judicial independence.” He claimed that after an unsuccessful campaign to have him removed via the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), a “new strategy” was adopted by misusing official processes.
The controversy began last year with a letter circulated on social media, purportedly from KU, raising questions about the validity of his 1991 LLB degree due to irregularities in enrolment numbers. While the letter did not declare the degree bogus, it termed it invalid, triggering a reference to the SJC.
In a related development, the IHC had previously restrained Justice Jahangiri from judicial duties based on the degree accusations. However, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on September 30 declared the IHC’s decision “null and void,” adding another complex layer to the ongoing legal battle. The current SHC suspension provides crucial protection for the judge pending the final resolution of the case.
