Islamabad: The Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the Federal Government does not present a report in the case on the liberation, health and repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
Dr. Siddiqui, a neuroscientist, has been imprisoned in the United States since 2008 after being convicted of positions of murder attempt by US personnel in Afghanistan.
When the request presented by her sister, Dr. Fawzia Siddiqui, the hearing came up, Judge Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan on the grill of the additional attorney general Rashid Hafeez for the delay in the presentation of the government’s response to the case.
The court indicated that the government had been asked in June to present an answer, but did not present it to date.
“If the Federal Government’s report does not appear in my court, I will convene the entire cabinet. Why not initiate contempt for judicial procedures against all ministers in the federal cabinet, including prime minister?” He commented.
However, the additional attorney general requested five more days, ensuring the court that the government’s response would be presented before after five business days.
Judge Khan said that his annual license would begin next week, but then reluctantly agreed to extend the deadline for the response until next week.
When the lawyer Imran Shafiq, who represents the petitioner, informed the court of a miscellaneous application presented on a proposed meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Dr. Fawzia, the judge questioned the justification behind it.
“What will Fawzia Siddiqui do with the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister no longer knows the situation?” asked.
Later, the Court postponed the hearing until July 21, warning that government inaction would result in serious legal consequences.
Posted in Dawn, July 12, 2025
