SHC blocks FIA probe into judge's degree

Deems inquiry against IHC's Justice Jahangiri an attack on judiciary

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) ruled on Tuesday that the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) inquiry into the law degree of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri was an attack on the judiciary and an attempt to defame a respected judge.

The ruling came in response to a petition filed by Karachi Bar President Amir Nawaz Waraich, challenging the declaration of Justice Jahangiri's degree as suspicious.

The court also issued notices to the respondents, including the Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) and the Sindh government.

In its written order, the SHC said that the FIA had overstepped its jurisdiction, as only the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) is authorized to conduct such inquiries.

It further noted that the Karachi University Syndicate and its unfair means committee also lacked the authority to investigate judicial degrees.

The written order of the previous hearing of the petition, added that the FIA inquiry was tantamount to "an attack on the judiciary" and "an attempt to defame the honourable judge". It warned that if this campaign was not stopped, the independence of the judiciary will be at risk.

It prohibited the FIA from conducting any further inquiries should another application be filed against any judge.

Additionally, the court directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ensure that no news related to Justice Jahangiri is published.

In the application, Waraich stated that a media campaign was started against Justice Jahangiri. The IHC judge, he added, was among the 6 judges who had written a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan against interference in the judiciary.

The Karachi Bar president further said that FIA conducted an alleged inquiry on the complaint of Shahzad Gondal, adding that Gondal also shared the FIA report on his Twitter account. All this was an attempt to defame and tarnish the reputation of a respected judge of the high court, he said.

The court's written order stated that the petitioner represented 20,000 lawyers of the bar, who came forward for the protection and honour of the institution. The arguments of the counsel for the petitioner were of considerable importance, it added.