July 8, 2024
By Bilal Baseer
ISLAMABAD
Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) held a press conference on Monday, July 8, expressing concern the social media campaign against Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri. The association urged institutions to operate within their bounds.
A malicious social media campaign was launched against Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, terming his academic degree invalid.
Riasat Ali Azad, President IHCBA, said that all institutions should work within their jurisdictions, and warned against protesting on the streets if the social media campaign targeting Justice Jahangiri did not cease.
While addressing the press conference in Islamabad, Haroon Rashid, former Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, recalled a historical incident where a judge dissented from the decision to sentence Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to death. Despite serving for 50 years the judge’s matriculation certificate was later declared fake because he did not comply with the then dictator.
Rashid suggested that the situation is relevant to Justice Jahangiri’s case, as he has recently issued judgments against the “dictators of today”.
On the occasion, Aleem Abbasi, Vice Chairman of the Islamabad Bar Council said that lawyers have always stood by the judiciary. He added that if the matter is not resolved promptly, lawyers would convene a conference in Islamabad.
The lawyers expressed their determination to support the judiciary while emphasizing that if necessary “an army of black coats” would gather on the Constitution Avenue.
Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq declared that the court cannot tolerate any smear campaign against any judge. The court issued notices to parties involved in the contempt of court case, postponing the hearing until after the summer break.
Lawyers expressed support for the CJ IHC’s decision to constitute a bench.