Islamabad, July 21, 2025: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued contempt of court notices to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and all members of the federal cabinet for failing to submit a court-ordered report regarding Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s health and efforts for her repatriation from the United States.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued the notices during a hearing on a petition filed by Dr Aafia’s sister, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, who has been actively pursuing her sister’s release and raising concerns over her deteriorating health.
“I am issuing contempt notices to every member of the federal cabinet,” Justice Ishaq declared, expressing his frustration over the government’s continued inaction. He added that the next hearing will be held on the first working day following the court’s summer recess.
Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, has been imprisoned in the U.S. since 2008. In 2010, she was sentenced to 86 years on charges of attempting to kill American personnel while in custody in Afghanistan. She is currently being held at FMC Carswell, a high-security federal prison in Fort Worth, Texas.
Earlier this year, Dr Aafia submitted a clemency request to U.S. President Joe Biden, describing her imprisonment as a “blatant miscarriage of justice.” The plea was rejected just before the end of Biden’s term.
During Monday’s proceedings, Justice Ishaq also criticized what he described as deliberate interference in judicial matters, after learning that the court’s roster was altered, resulting in the removal of Dr Fauzia’s case from the cause list.
“The personal secretary informed me about the change. I told him to write to the Chief Justice,” the judge remarked, adding that it appeared administrative powers were once again being used to influence judicial decisions. “Did the Chief Justice not have even 30 seconds to sign it?”
Justice Ishaq emphasized that he would not allow the dignity of the judiciary to be compromised. “I will exercise my judicial authority to uphold the honour of this court,” he said.
The court’s strong rebuke and issuance of contempt notices signal growing judicial pressure on the federal government to take concrete action regarding Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s long-standing and sensitive case.
