FCC restrains IHC from contempt proceedings against PM in Dr Aafia case

The Federal Constitutional Court has issued an important order in the Dr Aafia Siddiqui case, restraining the Islamabad High Court from filing contempt of court proceedings against the Prime Minister and federal ministers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday. 

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the federal government’s appeals. 

The court issued notices to the parties in the Dr Fawzia Siddiqui case and adjourned the hearing.

During the hearing in the Federal Constitutional Court, the federal government challenged the order of May 16, 2025, requesting that the permission to amend the petition be declared null and void and taking the stand that the amendment in the petition is an excess of judicial powers and contrary to the finality of settled cases, while reopening a matter disposed of after a long time is against legal principles and this matter is related to foreign policy and international law. 

The court was told that the Islamabad High Court had sought an explanation from the prime minister and the cabinet for not supporting legal efforts in the US, while the amended petition sought to declare the government’s steps for the release and repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui as a constitutional obligation. 

According to the federation, in October 2024, the prime minister wrote a letter to the US president in support of the mercy appeal and a high-level delegation was sent to the US and attempts were made to reach agreements regarding the transfer of prisoners, but the US authorities did not show willingness to sign an agreement for the transfer of prisoners.