On 1st September 2025, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench hearing the petition for Aafia Siddiqui’s release and repatriation was dissolved. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, who had taken over the case, referred the matter to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar for the constitution of a larger bench.
The registrar’s report highlighted that contempt notices issued to the Prime Minister and cabinet in the Aafia Siddiqui case could not be executed until legal questions regarding roster allocation and case assignment were settled. The transfer of the case on 29th August, after a change in the duty roster, created further delays.
Earlier in 2025, the IHC was informed that both options for Aafia Siddiqui’s release—a U.S. presidential pardon and a prisoner exchange agreement—had been denied by Washington. Following the rejection, her legal team pursued a petition in U.S. courts for further relief.
The Government of Pakistan has renewed its advocacy in support of Aafia Siddiqui, both judicially and diplomatically. Officials assured that they were still working on the issue as they await the Chief Justice to make a decision on whether to constitute a bigger bench.
The next hearing will be scheduled once the Chief Justice finalizes the new bench. The outcome will determine the future course of proceedings on the petition regarding Aafia Siddiqui’s repatriation.
 bench hearing the petition for Aafia Siddiqui’s release and repatriation was dissolved. Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, who had taken over the case, referred the matter to Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar for the constitution of a larger bench.){kind=link}