IHC issues contempt notice to PM, cabinet in Aafia Siddiqui case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued contempt of court notices to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and all federal cabinet members for failing to submit a report regarding the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national imprisoned in the United States.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued the order during a hearing of a petition filed by Dr Fauzia Siddiqui — sister of Dr Aafia — concerning her sister's health condition and repatriation efforts.

"I am issuing a contempt of court notice to every member of the federal cabinet," Justice Ishaq stated while dictating a brief order. The next hearing has been scheduled for the first working day after the court’s summer recess.

Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist, has been incarcerated in the U.S. since 2010 after being sentenced to 86 years in prison on charges of attempting to murder and assault American personnel in Afghanistan. She is currently serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Earlier this year, she filed a clemency plea, describing her conviction as “a blatant miscarriage of justice.” The plea was rejected by then-U.S. President Joe Biden in the final hours of his term.

During the proceedings, Justice Ishaq raised concerns about administrative interference in judicial matters, pointing out that his scheduled hearing was disrupted after the court roster was altered without explanation. “The personal secretary informed me of the roster change. I asked that the matter be brought to the chief justice’s attention,” he said.

Expressing frustration, the judge remarked, “Could the chief justice not spare even 30 seconds to sign it? The judges’ roster has previously been used to influence case outcomes.”

He further stated, “Once again, administrative authority has been used to interfere with judicial proceedings. I will not allow justice to be compromised. I will exercise my judicial authority to uphold the dignity of this court.”