IHC Warns Interior Secretary Over Unpaid Blast Compensation
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir directs Islamabad Police chief to submit a complete list and report on victims, warning that the Interior Secretary could be summoned if the compensation issue remains unresolved by the next hearing.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has expressed concern over the continued non-payment of compensation to victims of the Islamabad Kachehri suicide bombing and indicated that the Interior Secretary could be summoned if the matter is not resolved before the next hearing.
Court Seeks Resolution of Compensation Issue
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the warning while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Asif Gujjar concerning compensation for those affected by the suicide attack outside Islamabad’s district courts.
The petitioner appeared before the court along with his lawyers, including Barrister Tasadduq Hanif.
During Thursday’s proceedings, an Assistant Attorney General requested the court to grant the authorities another 15 days, assuring the bench that efforts would be made to resolve the compensation issue within that period.
Justice Tahir questioned why the matter had remained unresolved for so long, observing that nearly a year had passed since the incident and that the issue should have been settled by now.
Matter Pending With Interior Ministry
Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that Islamabad Police and the Deputy Commissioner’s office had already forwarded their reports to the Ministry of Interior.
According to the counsel, the matter was currently pending at the office of a joint secretary in the ministry.
The court directed the authorities to resolve the matter before the next hearing, warning that the Interior Secretary could otherwise be summoned to appear before the bench.
IHC Seeks Victims’ Complete List
Justice Tahir also directed the Inspector General of Islamabad Police to provide a complete list of the victims, along with their details and a comprehensive report.
DSP Legal Sajid Cheema was instructed to ensure that the required list and report are submitted before the next hearing.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until the first week of September.
The proceedings follow an earlier hearing in June, when the IHC issued notices to the Ministry of Interior and other authorities over the compensation issue. At that hearing, counsel for the petitioner argued that victims and affected families were entitled to compensation under Section 13 of the Lawyers Welfare and Protection Act.
The underlying suicide bombing took place outside Islamabad’s district court complex on November 11, 2025. Contemporary reports said at least 12 people were killed and dozens injured.
