The University of Karachi has declared the law degree of Islamabad High Court’s Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri to be fake, stating that multiple instances of tampering and forgery were detected in his academic records.

According to the university’s examination controller, both the degree and mark sheets carried forged enrolment numbers and manipulated supporting documents.

In a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court, the university said that enrolment number 5968/87 was originally issued to a student named Imtiaz Ahmed, while Jahangiri allegedly used enrolment number 7124/87 to fraudulently obtain LLB Part-II marks.

The report states that names and enrolment numbers were repeatedly altered to secure transcripts and a degree.

Two enrolment numbers

The university launched a fresh inquiry at the request of a citizen, Irfan Mazhar, and the controller declared it impossible for any student to possess two enrolment numbers for one degree programme.

Consequently, the LLB degree and mark sheets were declared invalid.

The principal of Islamia College also confirmed that Jahangiri had not been enrolled at the college between 1984 and 1991.

The Higher Education Commission informed the IHC that degree issuance is solely the university’s mandate and that the HEC cannot recognise a degree that the university itself rejects.

Issue hits headlines in 2024

The controversy surrounding Justice Tariq Jahangiri’s degree first surfaced in July 2024 when a letter, allegedly issued by Karachi University’s examination controller, began circulating on social media.

The letter — apparently a response to a Right to Information request under the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act 2016 — stated that Jahangiri obtained his LLB degree in 1991 under enrolment number 5968.

However, university records showed that the same number had been allotted to Imtiaz Ahmed in 1987, while Jahangiri had separately enrolled for LLB Part-I under number 7124.

Although the letter did not label the degree as fake, it termed it incorrect, clarifying that only one enrolment number is issued per degree programme.

IHC takes up the matter

Subsequently, lawyer Mian Dawood filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking an investigation into alleged discrepancies in the judge’s academic records.

The IHC registrar raised objections, and then-chief justice Aamer Farooq reserved his decision on the matter.

The matter later came before the current Chief Justice, Sarfraz Dogar.

A similar petition was filed in the Sindh High Court, which issued a stay order.

The Sindh Higher Education Commission also sought to become a party to the case.

KU Syndicate cancels enrolment number

In its press release, Karachi University said its Syndicate decided in August 2024 to cancel Jahangiri’s enrolment number 7124/87 and seat number 22857.

He was barred for three years from seeking admission to any college or appearing in university examinations.

Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, appointed to the Islamabad High Court on December 28, 2020, during the PTI government, is known for his experience in criminal law and has held various judicial positions during PML-N and PPP tenures.

Letter against agencies involvement

His work includes rulings in cases against former prime minister Imran Khan and blanket protection matters.

He was among the six IHC judges who wrote a joint letter to the Supreme Judicial Council last March, accusing intelligence agencies — particularly the ISI — of meddling in judicial affairs.

Following that letter, a citizen filed an RTI request seeking Jahangiri’s academic credentials, which led to the fresh inquiry now submitted to the IHC.