Pakistan court threatens contempt action against PM over Aafia Siddiqui case

A Pakistani court warned on Friday that it may issue contempt notices against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his federal cabinet for refusing to explain why the government has decided not to help a Pakistani citizen, Aafia Siddiqui, in her ongoing legal proceedings in the United States.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of the Islamabad High Court expressed frustration over the government's repeated failure to submit a report justifying its position.

“If the federal government does not submit its report in this court, I will summon the entire cabinet,” the judge said. “Why should contempt proceedings not be initiated against all ministers? This court will not hesitate to proceed against the prime minister as well.”

The case was brought by Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, Fozia Siddiqui, who is demanding that the government take legal steps to support her sibling in the United States.

At Friday’s hearing, Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez again failed to provide the required report. The judge issued a final warning but granted a short extension after Hafeez said the judge would be on annual leave. The next hearing was set for July 21.

Fozia Siddiqui’s lawyer, Imran Shafiq, also filed a request for a meeting between the prime minister and his client. The judge questioned whether such a meeting would be productive.

“What would she tell the prime minister that he doesn’t already know?” he asked.

Who is Aafia Siddiqui?

Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008.

She was later convicted by a U.S. federal court in 2010 for attempting to kill American military personnel while in custody. She is currently serving an 86-year sentence at a federal prison in Texas.

Her arrest and trial sparked widespread controversy in Pakistan, where many believe she was wrongfully targeted and view her as a victim of injustice.

Human rights advocates and opposition leaders have repeatedly called on the government to intervene in her case.

In June, the Islamabad High Court directed the government to submit a written explanation for why it would not become a party to the U.S. court proceedings. At a previous hearing, the Additional Attorney General simply announced the decision without offering a legal rationale—an action the judge said was not acceptable.

“This is a constitutional court,” Justice Khan said. “The Attorney General cannot simply announce government decisions without offering legal justification.”

A case under scrutiny

Aafia Siddiqui’s imprisonment has remained a highly sensitive and political issue in Pakistan.

Last year, PM Shehbaz wrote to then-U.S. President Joe Biden, appealing for Siddiqui’s release on humanitarian grounds.

Despite repeated calls from Pakistani officials and human rights advocates, the U.S. has maintained a firm position on her conviction and sentence.