By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD; A petition has been submitted in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the audio and video recordings of the September 16 hearing concerning Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, who was restrained from performing judicial duties.
The petition was filed by Barrister Jahangir Jadoon with the IHC registrar. He stated that the case involving Justice Jahangiri received wide coverage in the media on Wednesday. According to him, during the hearing, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar told lawyers that no formal order had been issued. However, it later emerged at the conclusion of proceedings that Justice Jahangiri had been barred from performing judicial functions.
The application requested the court to provide the audio-video record of Courtroom No. 1 proceedings held around 1 p.m. on September 16. Along with the plea, supporting documents were also submitted.
It is noteworthy that the IHC had issued a two-page written order restraining Justice Jahangiri from performing judicial work in connection with an alleged fake degree case. The order, signed by Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, stated that the judge would remain barred from judicial duties until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) delivers its decision.
The written order further highlighted that the case involved sensitive questions regarding the capability of a sitting judge and noted that a complaint against Justice Jahangiri was already pending before the SJC. The bench also sought assistance from the Attorney General and the Advocate General, adjourning further proceedings until October 21.
Meanwhile, a partial strike by lawyers observed in the IHC following the order against Justice Jahangiri. On the call of the Islamabad Bar Council, many lawyers refrained from appearing in courts, though some continued to attend urgent cases. High Court Bar Secretary Manzoor Janjua, present on the court premises, reiterated the council’s request urging lawyers not to appear in hearings for the day.
