ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday suspended the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) interim order that had stopped Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri from performing judicial duties, effectively restoring him to his position.
Justice Jahangiri had challenged the IHC decision, which barred him from working until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) heard his degree case.
During the hearing, senior lawyer Muneer A. Malik argued that the IHC order was unlawful and unfair, stressing that this was the first time a high court bench had restrained one of its own judges.
Justice Jahangiri, present in court, said: “I will go today and hear cases.”
Bar councils, including the Islamabad Bar Council and District Bar, also sought to join the proceedings.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail remarked that the case before the SC was only about the IHC’s interim order, adding that the top court had already ruled earlier that a sitting judge cannot be barred from judicial work. He noted that the SJC will meet on October 18 to address the matter.
Justice Shahid Bilal also questioned how the petition against Justice Jahangiri was numbered by the IHC registrar despite objections.
After initial arguments, the SC suspended the IHC order and issued notices to the Attorney General’s Office and petitioner Mian Dawood. The hearing was then adjourned until Tuesday.