Islamabad, December 15,2025: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday witnessed a tense exchange during the hearing of a degree controversy case involving Justice Tariq Jahangiri, as the judge raised strong objections to the Chief Justice presiding over the bench, citing an alleged conflict of interest.
During the proceedings, the Chief Justice noted the presence of Justice Jahangiri in court and stated that he intended to hear his submissions. Justice Jahangiri, however, told the court that he had received the notice only on Thursday and had not been provided with a copy of the petition. He said the case related to events dating back 34 years and requested additional time to examine the petition and relevant documents.
“You are a judge, I am a judge. I have filed a petition against you,” Justice Jahangiri remarked, reiterating his objection to the composition of the bench.
Justice Jahangiri further argued that a quo warranto petition is ordinarily heard by a single bench, not a division bench. He said the current arrangement had prevented him from performing his judicial duties and described the situation as unprecedented in judicial history.
At one point, the Chief Justice asked lawyers present in the courtroom to take their seats, observing that Justice Jahangiri was not appearing as a lawyer but as a colleague on the bench. Justice Jahangiri responded that the notice period was inadequate, comparing it with ordinary criminal cases where charges are framed after seven days, whereas he had been given only three days’ notice. He warned that such a precedent could have serious consequences for judicial procedure.
To support his stance, Justice Jahangiri swore on the Holy Quran, stating that his degree is genuine and that Karachi University has never declared it fake. He also expressed a lack of confidence in the bench hearing the matter and requested that the case be assigned to a different bench if proceedings were to continue.
The court subsequently directed the Registrar of Karachi University to provide Justice Jahangiri with a copy of the petition and all related documents. Following this direction, the Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing until Thursday, granting time for Justice Jahangiri to review the material.
