Karachi, September 5, 2024– The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued a significant ruling on Thursday, temporarily suspending Karachi University’s (KU) decision to revoke the law degree of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri. The court’s decision followed the revelation that the university’s action was taken in Jahangiri’s absence, denying him the chance to defend himself.
In its written order, the SHC criticized KU’s Syndicate and Unfair Means Committee for canceling the Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge’s degree without providing him an opportunity for a fair hearing. The court described the action as a violation of Article 10-A of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial.
The controversy began in July when a letter purportedly from KU’s controller of examinations about Jahangiri’s degree surfaced on social media. The issue intensified last week when KU’s Syndicate canceled Jahangiri’s degree and enrollment, which dates back to 1991. This decision followed the brief detention of Dr. Riaz Ahmed, a key academic and Syndicate member, who was allegedly detained to prevent his attendance at the meeting where the decision was made. Dr. Ahmed was released only after the degree was revoked.
A petition filed with the SHC argued that Jahangiri’s degree was revoked due to a targeted effort to damage his reputation, noting that he was among the IHC judges who had raised concerns about alleged intelligence interference in judicial matters. The petition also contended that Jahangiri was not present at the Syndicate meeting, nor was he given a chance to represent himself, rendering the decision invalid.
Jahangiri’s counsel claimed that the KU’s Unfair Means Committee was formed illegally, making its recommendations null and void. The SHC agreed, ruling that the degree was canceled in violation of basic legal principles and that the decision was “null and void.”
The SHC instructed KU to refrain from taking any coercive measures based on the controversial decision until further notice. Notices have been dispatched to all relevant parties, including the Sindh attorney general, with responses expected within three weeks.
During the hearing, Justices Salahuddin Panhwar and Amjad Ali Sahito questioned the rationale behind KU’s actions and noted the lack of transparency. They emphasized that if a degree cancellation is to occur, the individual must be duly notified and heard.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between academic institutions and the judiciary, underscoring the need for procedural fairness and transparency in such critical matters.
