In a significant development, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari approved the removal of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from the Islamabad High Court in December 2025. This came after a court ruling determined that he did not possess a valid law degree at the time of his appointment. This unprecedented decision has unfolded a constitutional crisis, exposing tensions between judicial independence, institutional jurisdiction, and accountability mechanisms for superior court judges. Justice Jahangiri’s name and photograph were expunged from the official Islamabad High Court website, a move underscoring the finality of the decision. The removal represents one of the most consequential judicial accountability controversies in recent history. Read more on JURIST.
The controversy began when a petition questioned the validity of Justice Jahangiri’s LLB degree, a constitutional requirement for his elevation to the Islamabad High Court. The Islamabad High Court accepted the petition and demanded responses from relevant authorities. The University of Karachi had previously cancelled his degree citing alleged unfair means, a decision temporarily suspended by the Sindh High Court. This divergence between high courts introduced a complex legal dilemma.
Despite the Sindh High Court’s interim relief, the Islamabad High Court concluded that Jahangiri did not hold a valid degree at the time of his appointment. A division bench led by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar stated that his elevation lacked lawful authority, directing the federal government to de-notify him. Justice Jahangiri has since challenged the ruling, filing a petition before the Federal Constitutional Court. He argues that the Islamabad High Court lacked jurisdiction and that allegations concerning a judge’s conduct should reside within the Supreme Judicial Council, the constitutionally mandated body for judicial accountability.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan had previously suspended an interim Islamabad High Court order, preventing Jahangiri from performing judicial duties, raising questions about whether a high court could restrain its own judge without invoking constitutional mechanisms. The legal community remains divided; several bar associations criticized the Islamabad High Court’s approach, fearing it could expose the judiciary to political pressure, while others viewed it as a necessary assertion of accountability.
This case raises fundamental questions about balancing judicial independence with accountability. The dispute highlights ambiguities in Pakistan’s constitutional framework about determining a judge’s eligibility post-appointment. Jurisdictional tensions have resulted in contradictory orders and public confusion, challenging confidence in the justice system. For further details, the situation is additionally explored in an analysis by Dawn.
The path to resolution remains complex, with key developments expected from the Federal Constitutional Court on jurisdiction, potential proceedings before the Supreme Judicial Council, and eventual verdicts by the Supreme Court. The status of Justice Jahangiri’s academic qualifications from the University of Karachi may also significantly influence the outcome.