Justice Tariq Jahangiri expressed no confidence the IHC CJ Dogar-led panel.

ISLAMABAD (A News) Justice Tariq Jahangiri of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has voiced dissatisfaction with the bench led by IHC Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar in the degree controversy case, requesting that the case be shifted to another bench.

The lawsuit involving Justice Jahangiri’s academic degree was heard by a panel that included Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan. Justice Jahangiri and the Islamabad Bar Association’s attorney were in court throughout the proceedings.

Addressing the courtroom, Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar directed attorneys to take their seats, adding that Justice Jahangiri was there.

Justice Jahangiri noted that he got the notice on Thursday, but it did not contain a copy of the petition. He stated that the matter was old and wanted time to receive and evaluate the petition.

Justice Jahangiri formally protested to Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar sitting over the bench, to which the Chief Justice replied that both were judges and that a petition had been filed against Justice Jahangir.

Justice Jahangiri stated that this constituted a conflict of interest, and that the Chief Justice could not hear a case against him. He claimed that his concern was to the bench’s makeup rather than the proceedings themselves.

He further argued that a writ of quo warranto is heard by a single bench, not a split bench. He also protested to being barred from performing court duties, calling it unusual in judicial history.

In response, the CJ stated that Justice Jahangiri will receive the same justice as any other person.

Justice Jahangiri went on to say that even in murder cases, charges are filed after seven days, however he was only given three days notice. He warned that creating such a precedent in quo warranto procedures might have far-reaching and negative effects.

He further asserted under testimony that his degree was real, and that the institution had never labeled it false or claimed that it had not been awarded.

Addressing the CJ directly, Justice Jahangiri stated that he did not trust the existing bench and demanded that the case be given to another bench, along with adequate time to prepare his defence.

The IHC urged Karachi University’s registrar to appear with the necessary record and to furnish Justice Jahangiri with copies of the petition and other connected papers. The hearing was continued to Thursday, December 18.