Even a patwari is not stopped from working like you stopped me, says Justice Jahangiri
Judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. Photo courtesy: IHC
Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri appeared before a division bench on Monday over a petition challenging the validity of his law degree. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, heard the matter regarding the quo warranto petition which has been pending for over a year.
“You are also a judge and I am also a judge. My appeal against you is pending,” Jahangiri told Chief Justice Dogar, requesting that the objection be recorded. He pointed out that the judges had appealed the transfer of CJ Dogar, arguing that it created a conflict of interest.
Justice Jahangiri argued that he had been excluded from all judicial activity without being heard, although he had raised objections to the petition. He questioned receiving only three days’ notice for a motion filed a year and a half ago.
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Further, he argued that the court was violating its own procedures, saying the IHC had never heard a quo warranto petition before a division court before. “My right to a division bench has been affected,” he said.
“Don’t open this Pandora’s box, everyone’s turbans will fly away,” Justice Jahangiri said. He defended his degrees, swearing on the Quran that his degree was genuine and emphasizing that the University of Karachi never said his degree was fake.
“I don’t trust you. You should not hear this matter,” Jahangiri told Dogar. The chief justice replied: “It’s okay, it makes no difference; that decision has already been made. You were kind enough to bring everyone to the Supreme Court.”
When Justice Jahangiri insisted that he should have been given proper notice, CJ Dogar said that had already happened. “No, sir, that is not the case. You should have sent me a notice,” Justice Jahangiri retorted.
Learn more: IHC suspends Justice Jahangiri amid fake diploma controversy
Citing judicial history, Justice Jahangiri said such treatment was unprecedented. “Even a patwari is not stopped from working as you stopped me,” he remarked. He pointed out that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had granted a stay on the cancellation of his degree and suggested that the matter be handed over to the Supreme Judicial Council.
Chief Justice Dogar assured Jahangiri that he would receive justice like anyone else. The court ordered that the records be handed over to the registrar of Karachi University and directed that all documents be provided to Justice Jahangiri.
The petitioner requested daily hearings, saying too much time had already passed, with Justice Jahangiri seeking more time to file his response.
The hearing was adjourned until Thursday.
