The new bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), formed to hear Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case, was also dissolved on Monday after Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas referred the matter to a larger bench after a difference of opinion developed over the issue of the ‘master of roster’.
Advocate Imran Shafiq, counsel for Aafia’s sister Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, who appeared in the court, addressed the judge and said, “My lord, the case has become quite complicated.”
Disagreeing with him, Justice Minhas remarked that the case was still simple and reminded him that as per his decision, the chief justice was the ‘master of roster’. “However, there was a difference of opinion and now the matter would be decided by a larger bench,” the judge added.
On Thursday, the IHC had reassigned a long-running petition related to Dr. Aafia, which was being heard by Justice Ejaz Ishaq, to Justice Minhas as part of a new “Roster of Sitting” that takes effect from Sept 1, according to a court cause list.
The transfer comes weeks after Justice Ishaq issued sweeping contempt of court notices to the prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and his entire cabinet for alleged non-compliance with orders in the case.
