Pakistan Supreme Court reinstates judge at center of fake degree row

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Monday reinstated the judicial powers of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the Islamabad High Court, deepening a controversy that has exposed rifts within the country’s judiciary.

Jahangiri was barred earlier this month after the University of Karachi revoked his law degree, citing irregularities in enrollment records.

The university ruled that he was never a student at Islamia Law College, which is affiliated with the University of Karachi, despite holding an enrollment number from the institution, and barred him from admission or exams for three years.

On Monday, a five-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Ameenuddin Khan, heard the case. The bench also included Justices Jamal Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Hassan Azhar Rizvi, and Shahid Bilal Hassan.

Jahangiri had challenged the Islamabad High Court’s division bench decision in the Supreme Court.

The Islamabad High Court suspended his duties in mid-September, pending review by the Supreme Judicial Council, the top forum for judicial accountability.

But Jahangiri and four other Islamabad High Court judges challenged their chief justice’s authority to limit a sitting judge’s powers, arguing only the council has jurisdiction.

The case has sparked heated scenes in courtrooms.

Lawyers at the Sindh High Court erupted in protest last week when petitions against Jahangiri’s degree were dismissed.

During earlier proceedings, Jahangiri defended himself, saying: “Nowhere in the world does a judge stand in the dock as an accused. I swear by God and His Prophet (PBUH) that I have honored my oath.”

The Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate him comes as Karachi University stands by its cancellation.