Pakistan court dismisses petitions in high-profile judge’s degree case amid uproar

Lawyers at a court in Pakistan erupted in protest on Thursday after a constitutional bench dismissed petitions challenging the law degree of Islamabad High Court Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri.

Lawyers at the Sindh High Court chanted slogans inside and outside the courtroom, targeting the head of the constitutional bench. The uproar was triggered as several advocates walked out of the courtroom in protest, abandoning the proceedings.

The bench, led by Justice K.K. Agha, was hearing multiple petitions concerning allegations that Justice Jahangiri’s University of Karachi degree was invalid. The petitions were dismissed for non-prosecution after the walkout.

Advocate General Sindh Jawad Dero said the matter had been disposed of, adding, “If they are aggrieved, they should file an appeal.” Justice Agha directed all parties to present arguments in turn and told lawyers not to interrupt each other.

Senior lawyer Salahuddin Ahmed, representing Karachi Bar Association and Malir Bar Association, argued the case was fixed by the court’s administrative committee and questioned how the constitutional bench could override that order. He also maintained that the Sindh Higher Education Commission was not a relevant party, calling the case specific to the University of Karachi.

As the university’s counsel opened arguments, Justice Jahangiri asked to speak, claiming he was an affected party and should be heard. The request drew an objection from the university’s lawyer, triggering protests from other attorneys and chants of “shame, shame” in the courtroom.

Advocate Faisal Siddiqi, representing the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, insisted the constitutional bench lacked jurisdiction. But Justice Adnan Karim remarked that such benches could hear all types of cases.

Justice Jahangiri then defended himself. “Nowhere in the world does a judge stand in the dock as an accused,” he told the court. “I have upheld my oath. I swear by God and His Prophet (PBUH) that I have honored my pledge.”

He added, “My degree is genuine. I took all the examinations. I have never acted on the orders of any sector commander.” His statements drew applause from lawyers in the courtroom.

Petitioners’ lawyers demanded that the court first rule on their objections before addressing maintainability. When their demand was not met, they left the courtroom in protest. The bench then dismissed all applications.

What's the issue?

The controversy surrounding Justice Jahangiri has deepened in recent weeks. On September 16, the Islamabad High Court barred him from performing judicial duties until the Supreme Judicial Council, Pakistan’s top forum for judicial accountability, decides on allegations about his law degree.

That suspension order came after the University of Karachi declared his degree invalid, citing irregularities such as dual enrollment numbers. The Sindh High Court, however, later suspended the university’s decision, ruling that Jahangiri had not been given a hearing.

On September 19, the crisis widened when five IHC judges — including Jahangiri himself — filed legal challenges against their chief justice’s administrative decisions. They argued that only the Supreme Judicial Council, not a chief justice, can suspend or restrict a judge’s powers. Their move underscored growing tensions within Pakistan’s judiciary.

Justice Jahangiri is also one of several judges who earlier accused intelligence agencies of interfering in judicial affairs, a claim that has fueled speculation that his suspension and degree case are part of deeper institutional rifts.