ISLAMABAD: In a significant ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court (SC) suspended the interim order issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which had prevented Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing his judicial responsibilities. This decision effectively reinstates him to his judicial position.
Justice Jahangiri had challenged the IHC’s interim directive, which barred him from executing his judicial functions pending a decision from the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) regarding his degree case.
During the proceedings, senior legal counsel Muneer A. Malik argued that the IHC’s restraining order was unlawful and failed to uphold principles of justice. Malik pointed out that it was unprecedented for a two-member bench of the high court to impose such a restriction on one of its own judges.Justice Jahangiri, who was present in court, remarked: “Today, I intend to hear cases as usual.”
Several bar councils, including the Islamabad Bar Council and District Bar, expressed their intention to participate in the proceedings as parties.Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail noted that the matter before the Supreme Court was confined to examining the validity of the IHC’s interim order. He emphasized that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that a sitting judge cannot be barred from judicial duties.
He also mentioned that the upcoming meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council is scheduled for October 18 to deliberate on the issue.Justice Shahid Bilal questioned how the petition challenging Justice Jahangiri in the IHC was numbered despite objections raised by parties involved.Following initial arguments, the SC bench suspended the IHC’s order and issued notices to the Attorney General’s Office and petitioner Mian Dawood. The hearing was then adjourned until the following day.
