In the Aafia Siddiqui case, the FCC prevents IHC from suing the federal government.

On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court was prevented by the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) from filing a contempt of court action against the prime minister and federal ministers in the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case.

The appeals from the federal government were heard by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan. The May 16, 2025, order was contested by the federation, which aimed to revoke the authorisation given for the petition’s changes. The prime minister and the cabinet were asked to explain why they opposed legal actions in the United States by the Islamabad High Court.

According to the federal government, changing the petition goes beyond the authority of the court and violates the finality of cases that have already been determined. It is against the law to reopen a case that was settled a long time ago. The federation claims that the issue is related to international law and foreign policy.

Declaring the government’s actions toward Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release and repatriation as a constitutional duty was the goal of the modified petition.

The government claims that a high-level delegation was sent to the US in October 2024, the prime minister signed a letter to the US president supporting a mercy appeal, and negotiations were held over prisoner transfer agreements. However, the plans for prisoner transfers were rejected by US authorities.