ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Tuesday stopped the Islamabad High Court (IHC) from moving forward with a contempt of court case against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and federal ministers. The case concerns their alleged failure to support Dr Fowzia Siddiqui’s legal fight in the United States. A three-judge bench led by FCC Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the government's appeals. These appeals challenge the IHC's order from May 16, 2025, which allowed changes to a long-settled petition related to Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Dr Fowzia’s sister, nearly ten years after the petition was closed. Additional Attorney General Rashid Hafeez represented the government, and Advocate Imran Shafeeq appeared for Dr Fowzia, who was also given notice. Earlier, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of IHC had called on the PM and federal government to explain why they did not support Dr Fowzia’s US legal efforts. The government said allowing changes to the petition was judicial overreach and broke the rule that settled cases should not be reopened. They argued that the petition’s revival after so long ignored important legal and foreign policy matters, which are the government's responsibility and involve Pakistan’s international obligations. The government claimed Dr Fowzia's request was made in bad faith to keep the case alive. Dr Aafia Siddiqui was convicted by a US New York court. Dr Fowzia had raised concerns in IHC about Dr Aafia’s safety and wellbeing during custody, citing poor updates about her condition. The amended petition asked the government to declare its duty under both Pakistan’s constitution and international law to work for Dr Aafia’s release and return to Pakistan. The government said these points were already addressed. In October 2024, PM Shehbaz Sharif had sent a formal letter to the US president supporting Dr Aafia’s clemency plea. A high-level delegation was also sent by Pakistan. Efforts to negotiate prisoner transfer treaties with the US failed as the US declined any agreement. The government said the IHC ignored the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, which are binding in Pakistan and impact foreign policy. The FCC case is ongoing.