Islamabad High Court grants extension for submission of PM’s foreign visits details

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted the federal government time until January 24 to submit the details of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s foreign visits, as part of ongoing proceedings in the case related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release and repatriation from the United States.

The case was heard by Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan, who expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to comply with previous instructions regarding the submission of records. The court had initially ordered the government to provide the details by December 20.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel informed the court that Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, had arrived in the United States but had yet to meet Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington. The court directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fully cooperate with Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui and facilitate her meeting with the ambassador.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also informed the court that it had not received any response from the United States regarding Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s letter requesting Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release.

Additionally, the representative of the Foreign Ministry explained that the delay in submitting the requested details was due to the absence of the foreign secretary, who was currently in China.

Following this explanation, the court granted the ministry an extension until January 24 to submit the required information.