IHC Issues Contempt Notice to Federal Cabinet in Dr. Aafia Siddiqui Case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has formally issued a contempt notice to the federal cabinet due to the delayed submission of a report concerning the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case.

During a hearing regarding the petition filed by Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Aafia, concerning Dr. Aafia’s well-being and potential repatriation from a U.S. correctional facility, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan stated, “I am issuing a contempt of court notice to each member of the federal cabinet.”

Justice Ishaq, while issuing a concise directive, specified that the subsequent hearing for this matter would take place on the first working day following the court’s recess.

Dr. Aafia, a Pakistani neuroscientist, has remained in custody in the United States for over 14 years. In 2010, she received an 86-year prison term following convictions for the attempted murder and assault of U.S. personnel at a detention center in Afghanistan. Currently, she is serving her sentence at Carswell, a high-security prison located in Fort Worth, Texas.

Earlier this year, in January, prior to the change in U.S. presidential administration, Dr. Aafia requested a presidential pardon, describing her sentence as “a clear miscarriage of justice.” However, then-President of the United States, Joe Biden, turned down Dr. Siddiqui’s plea for clemency.

During the course of the hearing, Justice Ishaq noted that while Dr. Fauzia’s case had been scheduled for Monday, he was informed on Thursday that the cause list would not be released unless changes were made.

The judge noted that the personal secretary had informed him about the altered schedule. “I instructed the personal secretary to communicate with the chief justice regarding the cause list,” he added, emphasizing that the Chief Justice’s Office oversees the IHC judges’ roster.

“The chief justice wasn’t even granted 30 seconds to approve it?” Justice Ejaz questioned, and further noted that the judges’ roster had previously influenced decisions in particular cases.

Justice Ejaz remarked, “Once more, administrative authority has been employed to influence judicial power. I will not allow justice to be subverted. I will safeguard the high court’s dignity by employing my judicial powers.”

Following this, the court formally issued a contempt notice to the federal cabinet.