SHC suspends KU notification cancelling Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri's law degree

Karachi (Web Desk): The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday suspended Karachi University’s decision to revoke the law degree of Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, granting interim relief on a petition filed against the move.

The court also halted further proceedings on the recommendations of the university’s Syndicate and the Unfair Means Committee.

The division bench of the SHC, comprising Justice Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi, heard the case.

During the hearing, Karachi University’s Registrar, Professor Imran Siddiqui, informed the bench that he had only recently received the court notice and requested additional time to submit a reply.

Counsel for the petitioner, Barrister Salahuddin, argued that while the respondents may be allowed time to file their responses, the university’s decision should remain suspended in the meantime to prevent harm to his client.

Justice Iqbal Kalhoro observed that the matter concerns the lifelong effort of an individual, and the court must exercise extreme caution in deciding it.

He added that if a matter is brought forward after three decades, it is essential to hear the affected party, since any decision taken without providing an opportunity to be heard would lack legal strength.

The court further remarked that the proceedings could potentially have been initiated out of personal motives, and an ex-parte decision could not be considered fair.

It noted that if Karachi University failed to issue a notice to the petitioner, its decision would not stand on sound legal grounds.

The registrar of Karachi University stated that he was newly appointed and therefore not fully aware of the case details, to which the bench responded that providing an answer in court is a binding obligation.

Granting time to both parties to file their replies, the court adjourned further proceedings until November 20.