A larger bench of the Islamabad High Court has ended contempt of court proceedings initiated against the prime minister and members of the federal cabinet in connection with the Dr Aafia Siddiqui case.
In its ruling, the larger bench withdrew the earlier order dated July 21, 2025, under which contempt proceedings had been initiated. The court held that the July 21 order had been issued by a bench that was not legally constituted.
The decision stated that under the court’s rules, the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court is the “Master of the Roster” and holds exclusive authority to constitute benches. The larger bench observed that judicial authority to hear a case exists only when a bench is properly formed by the Chief Justice.
It further ruled that no judge can unilaterally exercise jurisdiction outside this framework. The court emphasised that any challenge to the formation of a roster or bench must be raised through internal administrative procedures.
According to the ruling, such matters cannot be resolved through spontaneous judicial proceedings, reinforcing the principle that bench formation falls strictly within the administrative domain of the Chief Justice.
With the withdrawal of the July 21 order, the contempt proceedings against the prime minister and federal cabinet stand concluded.