ISLAMABAD (HRNW)- The Federal Constitutional Court has issued a stay order, restraining the Islamabad High Court (IHC) from proceeding with contempt of court actions against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal cabinet members in the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case. A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, issued notices to all relevant parties while adjourning the hearing for an indefinite period.
The federal government had filed appeals challenging the IHC’s decision dated May 16, 2025, which allowed amendments to a petition related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. The IHC had previously sought explanations from the Prime Minister and his cabinet regarding the alleged lack of support for legal efforts in the United States to secure the release of the imprisoned neuroscientist. The government’s counsel argued that reopening a case that had been settled for nearly a decade through amendments was a violation of legal finality and amounted to judicial overreach.
The federation maintains that matters concerning the release and repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui fall under the domain of foreign policy and international law, areas where the executive holds primary authority. The government’s appeal emphasized that such judicial interventions interfere with the state’s diplomatic strategies. Following the Constitutional Court’s intervention, the contempt proceedings at the Islamabad High Court will remain suspended until further notice, providing significant relief to the top executive leadership.
