Former IHC Judge Tariq Jahangiri Challenges Removal in FCC
Appeals Against December De-Notification Over Law Degree Dispute
ISLAMABAD:
Former Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Tariq Jahangiri has filed an appeal in the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), challenging his removal from office and seeking to overturn his de-notification issued on December 18, 2025.
In his petition, Jahangiri argued that the Islamabad High Court removed him without fulfilling mandatory legal requirements. He asked the FCC to declare the decision null and void, stating that the process violated established judicial procedures.
IHC Ruling on Appointment
Earlier, a division bench of the IHC, headed by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, ruled that Jahangiri did not possess a valid law degree at the time of his appointment. As a result, the bench declared his appointment illegal and ordered his immediate removal from office.
The court also directed the Ministry of Law to formally de-notify him from the judiciary. In its ruling, the bench stated that Jahangiri held an invalid law degree during both his appointment and confirmation as a judge.
Allegations and Legal Moves
Following the verdict, Jahangiri accused Chief Justice Dogar of misconduct. He claimed that the court exerted undue pressure for the swift disposal of the quo warranto petition filed against him.
Separately, Jahangiri filed an application in the IHC through his counsel, Akram Sheikh. He requested the matter of his disqualification be referred to a full court comprising all judges except the transferee judges, including Chief Justice Dogar.
Career Background
Jahangiri was scheduled to retire on July 10, 2027. He joined the Islamabad High Court as an additional judge in December 2020 during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.
Before his judicial appointment, he served as deputy attorney general during the Pakistan Peoples Party government and later worked as advocate general for the Islamabad Capital Territory under the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government.
Degree Controversy
The dispute over Jahangiri’s law degree surfaced in 2024 after a letter, reportedly issued by the University of Karachi’s controller of examinations, circulated on social media.
In July 2025, a formal complaint regarding the alleged fake degree was submitted to the Supreme Judicial Council, which oversees judicial accountability and investigates misconduct allegations against judges.
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