ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dissolved its newly formed single-member bench hearing the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, after Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas referred the matter to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar for the constitution of a larger bench.
Justice Minhas was hearing a petition filed by Dr Fowzia Siddiqui regarding her sister’s health and repatriation when he decided the matter required consideration by more than one judge. Just two days earlier, the case had been transferred from Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan’s court to Justice Minhas following a revised duty roster issued by the IHC registrar.
Previously, Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan had presided over the case, issuing contempt notices to the Prime Minister and cabinet members for failing to comply with court directions. The judge had expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s refusal to submit a report explaining why it declined to pursue Dr Aafia’s case before a U.S. court, despite earlier orders.
Justice Khan had also warned that if the report was not presented, he could summon the entire federal cabinet and initiate contempt proceedings. The court gave the government more time but cautioned that further delays could invite serious consequences.
