The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday restrained Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing judicial duties over allegations of possessing a fake degree.

The order will remain in effect until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) issues its decision.

A two-member bench, comprising IHC Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, issued the order on Tuesday.

The bench stated that Justice Jahangiri must step aside from his duties pending the outcome of the proceedings before the SJC.

Later, the judge decided to challenge the division bench’s verdict, according to sources, adding that he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court. The appeal would be prepared once the written order is received, the sources added.

Appointment of judicial assistants

The court also appointed two senior lawyers as judicial assistants in the case: Barrister Zafarullah Khan and former Attorney General Ashtar Ausaf.

Their role will be to provide legal insights and assist the bench in navigating the matter.

In addition, the IHC issued a notice to the Attorney General of Pakistan, seeking his assistance on the admissibility of the petition.

IHC Justice Tariq faces allegations of fake degree

In July 2024, The University of Karachi through a series of official letters revealed Islamabad High Court Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri's degree as allegedly fake.

According to detailed reports, Justice Jahangiri had acquired his LL.B degree from the University of Karachi via Government Islamia Law College in 1991, but under suspicious circumstances involving two different enrollment numbers.

Justice Jahangiri initially passed LL.B Part One in 1989 under Enrollment No. AIL 5968, registered in the name of Tariq Jahangiri, son of Muhammad Akram. Subsequently, he passed LL.B Part Two in 1991 with Enrollment No. AIL 7124/87, listed as Tariq Mehmood, son of Qazi Muhammad Akram.

However, the university records indicate that Enrollment No. AIL 5968 was originally assigned to Imtiaz Ahmad, son of Muhammad Elahia. The same enrollment number and the second number, AIL 7124, were fraudulently used under the names Tariq Mehmood and Tariq Jahangiri.