Authored by Justice Azam Khan, the ruling stated that judicial independence does not mean immunity from accountability.

A judge lacking the required qualifications or found to have secured appointment through misrepresentation is not entitled to continue in office.

The court held that such removal is necessary to preserve judicial integrity and public confidence.

It emphasised that accountability strengthens institutions and that access to justice cannot be ensured without an independent, competent and credible judiciary.

The judgement noted that an unlawfully held office weakens the entire judicial structure and erodes litigants’ trust.

It stressed that transparent judicial appointments are integral to safeguarding the right to justice and that administrative approval or subsequent ratification cannot cure fundamental eligibility defects.

The court further ruled that a law licence cannot compensate for deficiencies in basic legal education. Without a valid and lawful LLB degree, an appointment would be void ab initio and cannot be legitimised through later administrative actions.

Accordingly, the IHC declared Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri’s appointment as judge null and void.