The Islamabad High Court on Monday conducted a hearing in a case related to the authenticity of the law degree of Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri.
Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri appeared as a defendant before the two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar, with Justice Azam also part of the bench.
During the proceedings, the chief justice asked lawyers who had accompanied Justice Tariq Jahangiri to remain in their seats, saying he wished to hear only from his judicial colleague.
Justice Jahangiri told the court that he had received the notice only on Thursday and that it was issued without a copy of the petition or supporting documents.
He said the case related to his degree was over a year old and requested time to review the petition and appoint legal counsel.
“You are a judge, and I am also a judge. I have filed a petition against you,” Justice Jahangiri said, adding that it constituted a conflict of interest.
“You cannot sit in a bench hearing a case against me. I do not trust this bench and request that the matter be referred to another bench.”
He further argued that quo warranto appeals are traditionally heard by a single bench, not a division bench, and objected to being restrained from performing judicial duties, calling it unprecedented in judicial history.
Justice Jahangiri said he had been given only three days’ notice, adding that even in murder cases, charges are framed after at least seven days.
“If such a precedent is set, it will have disastrous consequences,” he warned.
Justice Jahangiri swore that his degree was genuine and said the university had never declared it fake or claimed it had not issued the degree.
During the hearing, members of the Islamabad Bar Council and Islamabad Bar Association were also present in court, while a large number of lawyers gathered near the rostrum, prompting the Chief Justice to ask lawyers to take their seats.
After hearing the arguments, the court directed the registrar of the University of Karachi to appear with complete records related to the degree.
The court also ordered that a copy of the petition and all relevant documents be provided to Justice Jahangiri.
The hearing in the degree dispute case was adjourned until Thursday.
