KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday suspended Karachi University’s syndicate and Unfair Means Commi­ttee’s declaration cancelling the law degree of Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri of the Islam­abad High Court (IHC).

A two-judge bench of the SHC, comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Mohammad Abdur Rahman, granted interim relief to the IHC judge until Oct 24 after the KU registrar, as well as federal and provincial law officers, sought additional time to file comments.

Justice Jahangiri, citing the federation through the cabinet divi­s­ion secretary, the Sindh Uni­versities and Boards Depart­ment, KU and others as respondents, petitioned the SHC, impugning the KU Unfair Means Comm­ittee (UMC) and syndicate’s Aug­ust 2024 decision cancelling his degree.

On Sept 30, the bench had issued notices to the respondents as well as federal and provincial law officers for Oct 3.

At Friday’s hearing, KU registrar Prof Imran Siddiqui appea­red and requested more time to file comments, stating that the university had only received notices a couple of days earlier.

The bench remarked that while additional time could be granted, the court must also consider what would happen if action was taken against the petitioner in the meantime, and who would be responsible for any resulting loss.

Asked if a notice had been issued to the aggrieved party before the impugned decisions, Prof Siddiqui replied that he had recently assumed charge as registrar and was unaware. The judges expressed displeasure, stating that as a registrar he must provide a proper response. The bench further observed that the impugned actions might have been driven by personal interests, stressing that if a complaint was raised after 30 to 35 years, the aggrieved person must be given a right of hearing.

Justice Kalhoro remarked that even a court order carries little weight if issued without hearing the parties concerned.

Additional Attorney General Mohsin Shahwani and Additional Advocate General Sindh Kafeel Abbasi also sought more time to file replies on behalf of other respondents.

Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, representing the petitioner, submitted that while the respondents could be allowed additional time, the impugned decisions must be suspended. After hearing arguments, the bench observed in its order: “Learned Additional Attorney General and AAG seek time to file comments. Registrar, University of Karachi, has also appeared and seeks time to file comments but when Mr Salahuddin has prayed for an interim order suspending the impugned declaration and the proceedings preceding it, realising the consequence which may follow, he has stated that any order may be passed, implying that he is not opposed to any interim order in favour of the petitioner. Adjourned to 24.10.2025. In the meanwhile, the impugned declaration and the proceedings preceding it are suspended till next hearing.”

Published in Dawn, October 4th, 2025