ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Wednesday restrained the Islamabad High Court (IHC) from initiating contempt of court proceedings against the prime minister and federal ministers in connection with the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case.
A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan heard appeals filed by the federal government. The federation challenged the IHC’s May 16, 2025 order, seeking to overturn the permission granted for amendments to the petition. The IHC had earlier directed the prime minister and the federal cabinet to explain why they had not backed legal efforts in the United States regarding the case.
The federal government argued that allowing amendments to the petition exceeded judicial authority and undermined the finality of settled matters. It maintained that reopening a case resolved in the past violated established legal principles and emphasized that the issue falls within the domain of foreign policy and international law.
The amended petition had requested that the government’s actions for the release and repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui be declared a constitutional obligation.
According to the government, the prime minister wrote to the US president in October 2024 in support of a mercy appeal. A high-level delegation was also dispatched to the United States, and discussions were held regarding potential prisoner transfer arrangements. However, US authorities did not agree to the proposed transfer framework.
The FCC issued notices to all relevant parties and adjourned the hearing.
