Islamabad, June 30, 2025 – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed that the federal government has opted not to participate or provide legal support in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned in the United States for over 14 years.
During a hearing on a petition addressing Dr. Siddiqui’s health and potential repatriation, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan questioned the government’s decision to abstain from involvement in her U.S. court case. The additional attorney general, unable to provide a clear rationale, was directed to submit a detailed explanation at the next hearing, scheduled for July 4, 2025.
The petition, attended by Dr. Siddiqui’s lawyer Imran Shafiq and other officials, seeks to address her prolonged detention. Dr. Siddiqui is serving an 86-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, on charges of attempted murder and assault of U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. In January 2025, she requested a presidential pardon, describing her sentence as a “blatant miscarriage of justice,” but former U.S. President Joe Biden rejected her plea.
Justice Khan emphasized the need for transparency, stating, “This is a constitutional court. Decisions must be accompanied by reasons.” The court’s directive underscores the demand for accountability in the government’s stance on this high-profile case.
