Islamabad Bar Council Announces Strike Over Judge’s Suspension

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Bar Council has strongly condemned the suspension of Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from judicial work, calling it one of the darkest days in the history of Pakistan’s judiciary. In a press conference, bar officials demanded that the Supreme Court take suo motu notice of the matter.

The controversy arose after a division bench of the Islamabad High Court, comprising Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, issued a written order barring Justice Jahangiri from performing judicial duties. The order came in response to a petition filed by Advocate Mian Dawood, challenging the authenticity of Justice Jahangiri’s academic credentials.

In reaction to the decision, the Islamabad Bar Council announced a complete strike across the Islamabad High Court and district courts for tomorrow. A general body meeting is also scheduled to be held at the District Courts Complex in G-11, along with a protest rally.

Speaking at the press conference, Advocate Raja Aleem Abbasi emphasized that only the Supreme Judicial Council is constitutionally empowered to examine the conduct of judges, as per Article 209 of the Constitution. He said it was unprecedented for one judge to unilaterally bar another from performing their duties without due process.

He further added that the petition questioning Justice Jahangiri’s degree had initially been objected to over a year ago and that reviving such an issue now sets a dangerous precedent.

Read more: Imaan Mazari files complaint against Judge Dogar with IHC panel.

In the court’s order, it was stated that Justice Jahangiri would remain suspended from judicial duties until the Supreme Judicial Council reaches a final decision on the matter. Senior legal experts Barrister Zafarullah Khan and Ahsan Ali Ausaf have been appointed as amici curiae (judicial assistants), while the Attorney General has also been asked to assist the court on the maintainability of the petition.

The incident has sparked concern among the legal community, raising serious questions about judicial independence and the constitutional procedures surrounding the accountability of sitting judges.