ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the federal government to provide a detailed explanation for failing to submit its response regarding court assistance in the Dr Aafia Siddiqui case. The court asked the government to clarify by December 3 why it had not complied with earlier instructions.
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A larger bench of the IHC, hearing a petition filed by Dr Siddiqui’s sister, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, issued the directive. The bench comprises Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir, Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, and Justice Raja Inam Amin Minhas. Dr Fauzia Siddiqui appeared in court along with her counsel, Imran Shafiq. The hearing was adjourned until December 3.
In September 2025, the IHC had constituted this four-member larger bench to hear the case concerning Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s health and repatriation. The move came after the previous single-member bench, headed by Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas, was dissolved and the matter referred to the Chief Justice for formation of a larger bench.
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Earlier, the case had been heard by Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, who had issued contempt notices to the Prime Minister and cabinet members for non-compliance with court orders. It was later reassigned due to changes in the IHC judicial roster, as Justice Ishaq Khan was moved to a special division bench for tax cases.