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Islamabad High Court Suspends Justice Tariq Jahangiri Pending Supreme Judicial Council Decision
Justice Tariq Jahangiri restrained from judicial work by Islamabad High Court until Supreme Judicial Council decision. Lawyers stage partial strike; HC duty roster updated.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-09-17
Islamabad High Court Suspends Justice Tariq Jahangiri Pending Supreme Judicial Council Decision

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued a two-page written order restraining Justice Tariq Jahangiri from performing judicial duties until the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) reaches a decision on his case. The order, issued by Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar and Justice Azam Khan, cited sensitive questions concerning Justice Jahangiri’s eligibility and pending complaints before the SJC.

The court directed that judicial assistants will continue to assist the court, with the next hearing scheduled for October 21. Following the suspension, the High Court issued a new duty roster excluding Justice Jahangiri. According to the updated roster, Justice Suman Rifat has become the third most senior judge of the High Court.

The suspension has led to a partial strike by lawyers on the call of the Islamabad Bar Council, though some urgent cases are still being heard. Secretary of the High Court Bar, Manzoor Jaja, informed lawyers about the court boycott, while Judicial Commission member Ahsan Bhawan urged dialogue between the bar and bench to resolve the issue.

Court proceedings were disrupted: Chief Justice Sarfaraz Dogar’s cause list for the day was cancelled, and hearings could not start in several courtrooms, including those of Justice Saman Rifat Imtiaz, Justice Babar Sattar, and Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir was already on a three-day vacation.

Justice Jahangiri had previously been among the five judges challenging Chief Justice Dogar’s transfer to Islamabad High Court. He was also a signatory to a letter to the SJC last year complaining about alleged interference of intelligence agencies in judicial matters.

The current controversy erupted while Justice Jahangiri was overseeing expedited hearings of petitions regarding alleged election rigging in Islamabad’s three seats, raising tensions within the judiciary.

The suspension and ongoing strike highlight the growing friction between the Islamabad High Court bench and the legal fraternity, drawing national attention to judicial independence and governance.
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