The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has delivered a significant ruling by throwing out objections from Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri against the formation of a judicial panel, clearing the way for Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar to preside over a high-stakes case investigating the legitimacy of Justice Jahangiri’s own law degree.
In its written order on Tuesday, the court justified the creation of a two-member division bench. It noted that ‘keeping in view the sensitive nature of allegations of having an invalid/fake degree levelled against a sitting judge, it was deemed conducive, proper and in fitness of things to constitute a Division Bench to hear this case instead of a Single Bench.’
The IHC firmly reinforced that the composition of benches is the “sole prerogative of the Chief Justice,” dismissing Justice Jahangiri’s challenge as having “no force.” The court further clarified that forming a division bench for particular petitions is not an unprecedented action.
During earlier hearings, Justice Jahangiri had argued that a quo warranto petition-a legal challenge to a person’s right to hold public office-is traditionally heard by a single judge. He also expressed distrust over Chief Justice Dogar’s inclusion, pointing to a potential conflict of interest stemming from a petition he had previously filed against the chief justice.
The high court countered this argument by pointing out that the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) had already dismissed the petition filed by Justice Jahangiri. The order also cited the Supreme Court’s ruling in Asif Ali Zardari vs The State, which affirms that a judge serves as the “keeper of his own conscience” and personally decides whether to hear a matter before them.
The underlying case revolves around serious allegations concerning Justice Jahangiri’s LLB degree, which was cancelled by the University of Karachi. According to a university notification dated September 25, 2025, the institution’s syndicate approved ‘Resolution No 6’ on August 31, 2024, which upheld a recommendation from the Unfair Means Committee.
Reflecting the sensitive and high-profile nature of the case, the IHC has also granted the Islamabad District Bar Association, Islamabad High Court Bar Association, and Islamabad Bar Council the right to an audience during the proceedings.