By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD: Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the Islamabad High Court has moved the Supreme Court, challenging the September 25 decision of the Sindh High Court (SHC) regarding the controversy surrounding his academic degree.
In his petition, Justice Jahangiri requested the apex court to declare the SHC ruling null and void, arguing that the decision was passed without granting him the right to be heard. He maintained that the SHC’s order was unilateral and thus contrary to principles of justice and law.
The plea highlights that the SHC ignored key legal requirements, including the maintainability of the petition, and rejected his application to become a party in the case. Justice Jahangiri emphasized that without hearing the affected party, no lawful judgment can be delivered.
According to the petition, at least ten institutions including the Sindh Higher Education Commission, Karachi University, and PEMRA have been made respondents. It contends that the SHC issued its verdict without giving the petitioner time to appoint legal counsel or properly present his case.
The petition further notes that as a sitting judge of the IHC and a lawyer who has previously held multiple bar association positions, his degree’s cancellation is both malafide and illegal. It also argues that such a matter could not have been heard by a constitutional bench in the first place.
The case has reignited debate over judicial accountability, academic verification, and the standards required for those serving in high judicial offices.
