SHC dismisses pleas in Justice Jahangiri’s degree case; KU cancels LLB

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday issued a written order a day after chaotic scenes during the hearing of seven petitions challenging the cancellation of Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri’s law degree.

The order stated that the court cannot be held “hostage” to the wishes of lawyers regarding how the proceedings should be conducted.

It noted that all seven petitions were dismissed for non-prosecution as the lawyers deliberately chose not to advance arguments on the question of maintainability.

During Thursday’s hearing, a two-member constitutional bench comprising Justice Muhammad Karim Khan Agha and Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon had rejected Justice Jahangiri’s plea to become a party to the proceedings, saying that the first question to be decided was whether the petitions were maintainable.

The petitioners’ lawyers, however, contested the court’s jurisdiction and insisted that their objections be addressed first.

As the bench reiterated its stance, lawyers staged a noisy protest inside and outside the courtroom, chanting slogans, clapping, and later holding a demonstration against one of the judges. They eventually walked out in protest.

On Friday, the court’s written order said that Advocate Ibrahim Saifuddin, when called upon, refused to argue on maintainability until objections raised by other senior lawyers were decided.

Later, advocates Faisal Siddiqui and Salahuddin Ahmed also declined to argue and left the court.

As other counsel were also absent, the court dismissed all petitions for non-prosecution.

The order further noted that Justice Tariq Jahangiri was allowed to present his stance with dignity but he did not advance arguments on any application and later left the courtroom as well. His request to become a party was therefore also dismissed for non-prosecution.

 Earlier, the Islamabad High Court suspended Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri from judicial work pending a decision by the Supreme Judicial Council regarding allegations related to his educational credentials.

Later, Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri challenged IHC order, calling for its immediate suspension on constitutional and legal grounds.

KU cancels degree

Meanwhile, the University of Karachi cancelled the LLB degree and result of Justice Tariq Mahmood, son of Qazi Muhammad Akram.

A notification issued by the university registrar said that the decision was taken in light of the syndicate resolution passed on August 31, 2024, and recommendations of the “Unfair Means Committee.”

“Tariq Mahmood had been found guilty of using unfair means and was debarred for three years from seeking admission in any college or university,” the notification said.

The notification said that he was never a student of Islamia Law College Karachi, and his enrollment number AIL-7124/87 stood cancelled.

Consequently, his seat number 22857 and LLB result and degree have been annulled with the approval of the vice chancellor.

The decision has been communicated to the registrars of Islamabad and Sindh high courts, the Sindh chief secretary, the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the Sindh HEC, the Sindh Bar Council, the Islamia Law College principal and other relevant authorities.