The Allegations The controversy began with a complaint filed against Justice Jahangiri last year with the SJC, alleging his law degree was fake. A petition challenging his appointment was also filed in the IHC this year. The central claim is that the judge's foundational qualification for his position—an LLB degree—is "invalid." The petition highlights the following points:
Dual Enrollment Numbers: The judge allegedly used two different enrollment numbers for his LLB Part-I and Part-II examinations.
Improper Allocation: The enrollment number on his LLB Part-I marks sheet was purportedly allocated to another individual.
Invalid Letter from College: The principal of Government Islamia Law College, Karachi, stated in a letter that a student with the same name and enrollment number was never admitted to the college during the relevant period.
University's Conclusion: An official letter from the University of Karachi’s controller of examinations reportedly concluded that the degree and marks sheets in question were "invalid."
These allegations suggest a violation of the fundamental rights of citizens and could "shake public confidence" in the judiciary.
Court's Decision and Fallout
In response to the petition, the IHC bench, led by Chief Justice Sardar Mohammad Sarfraz Dogar, barred Justice Jahangiri from all judicial work. The court has also appointed two senior lawyers as amici curiae (friends of the court) and sought assistance from the Attorney General to determine the maintainability of the plea. A revised duty roster was released by the court that excludes the judge from all bench assignments.
The Islamabad Bar Council expressed its displeasure with the decision, calling it an unprecedented move. The council announced a strike and protest rallies, arguing that only the SJC has the authority to review a judge's conduct under Article 209 of the Constitution.
Previous Developments
The case has seen several twists and turns over the last year.
In August 2024, the University of Karachi’s Syndicate annulled the "invalid" degree based on the recommendations of its Unfair Means Committee.
However, the Sindh High Court suspended the university’s decision in September 2024 and barred it from taking further action on the complaint.
Legal sources say Justice Jahangiri intends to challenge the IHC’s decision before the Supreme Court after receiving the written order.
The ongoing controversy highlights broader issues regarding the verification process for judicial appointments in Pakistan and the power dynamics between different judicial bodies. The case also sheds light on the serious implications of fake degrees within the legal profession.