Overview
- A three‑member Federal Constitutional Court bench led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan stayed Islamabad High Court proceedings, halting planned contempt action against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers.
- The court issued notices to all parties and adjourned related matters, including petitions pursued by Dr Aafia’s sister, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui.
- The federal government’s appeals challenge the IHC’s May 16, 2025 order permitting amendments to a previously disposed petition and seek to have that ruling set aside.
- Government filings argue the case engages foreign policy and international law, assert that compelling executive action would breach separation‑of‑powers limits, and warn that reopening closed matters violates finality.
- The bench indicated it will examine the appeals’ maintainability at the next hearing, with the government pointing to an October 2024 clemency letter and a US visit that failed to secure a prisoner‑transfer path.