Islamabad High Court Chief Justice to Confront Allegations of Fake Degrees Against Fellow Judges

In a move that has sent ripples through Pakistan's judicial system, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq is poised to directly address an unprecedented petition filed against two of his own colleagues. The grave allegations at the heart of this legal challenge revolve around the authenticity of academic degrees held by sitting IHC judges, raising serious questions about the integrity of judicial appointments.

The petition, lodged by advocates Malik Rab Nawaz Noon and Syed Azizud Din Kazmi, specifically targets Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri.

It asserts that both judges were appointed to the high court without possessing valid Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees from Punjab University, a qualification deemed essential for their roles. This contention strikes at the very foundation of their appointments, arguing they are 'void ab initio' – invalid from the outset.

According to the petitioners, the alleged lack of legitimate degrees constitutes a blatant violation of constitutional provisions governing judicial appointments.

They cite Article 193 of the Constitution, which outlines the qualifications for High Court judges, and by extension, references Article 177, which deals with Supreme Court judges and implicitly requires a foundational degree. Furthermore, the petition draws strength from a landmark 2009 Supreme Court judgment that unequivocally mandated a BA degree as a prerequisite for judicial office, a ruling that followed widespread revelations of falsified academic credentials within the legal profession.

Initially, the registrar's office had raised procedural objections to the petition, seemingly an attempt to deter such a sensitive matter from reaching the court.

However, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, demonstrating a firm commitment to judicial accountability, overruled these objections. He has personally constituted a two-member division bench, including himself and Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir, to hear the crucial petition on June 18. This decisive action underscores the seriousness with which the judiciary views these allegations.

The petitioners contend that since the appointments were allegedly made without the required qualifications, all subsequent judgments delivered by the implicated judges should be considered null and void.

This adds another layer of complexity and potential disruption to an already volatile situation. The upcoming hearing is expected to be a pivotal moment, as the court grapples with allegations that could significantly impact public trust in the judiciary and set a critical precedent for judicial scrutiny in Pakistan.