ISLAMABAD: The Isl­amabad High Court sche­duled the hearing of a co­­ntempt of court case rel­a­ted to Justice Tariq Meh­mood Jahangiri for Sept 19 and the local bar association said on Monday it intended to file a petition against the Karachi Uni­versity for cancelling the degree of the IHC judge.

An IHC full bench took cognisance of the social media campaign against Justice Jahangiri after a letter began circulating on social media, purportedly from Ka­­rachi University’s controller of exa­­­m­inations regarding Jus­tice Jahan­giri’s law degree.

The letter was shared by several social media activists and journalists while a complaint was filed with the Supreme Judicial Council against the judge.

The court issued not­i­ces to journalists, social media activists, the Fe­­d­eral Inv­estigation Agen­­cy, Pakis­t­­an Electronic Media Reg­ulatory Aut­ho­rity, Pakis­tan Tele­com­munication Authority and the FIA di­­rector general to file their reports within four weeks.

These reports must na­­­me individuals “who have participated in the smear campaign and/or shared content on media/social media to besmirch credentials of the judge”.

The seven-member full court also sought assistance from the Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Council of Pakistan Ne­­wspaper Editors, All Pak­istan Newspaper Society, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Asso­ci­ation of Electronic Media Editors and News Direc­tors to assist the court on “the role of media in relation to independence of the judiciary”.

It appointed the Pak­is­tan Bar Council vice chai­rman, the Supreme Court Bar Association president, the Islamabad Bar Council vice chairman and presidents of Isla­m­abad High Court Bar Association and Islam­abad Bar Association as amici curiae “on the question of independence and accountability of the judiciary”.

While the matter was pending before the IHC, the Karachi University’s syndicate cancelled the degree and enrolment of Justice Ja­­hangiri on the recommendation of its unfair means committee.

The decision reportedly came a few hours after the detention of syndicate member Dr Riaz Ahmed, who was picked up by po­­lice. His colleagues alleged that it was an attempt to stop him from attending the key meeting.

Dr Riaz, an associate professor at the university’s department of applied chemistry, was released in the evening only after the syndicate decided to cancel the degree.

In a related development, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association said it would file a constitutional petition before the IHC against the Karachi University’s decision.

According to IHCBA secretary Shafqat Abbas, the plea would be filed bef­ore the IHC soon.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024