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
