Families of two PTI-linked men say the Foreign Office ignored a court order to act on their pleas. The foreign secretary must now respond by October 29.
On October 22, 2026, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notices to Foreign Secretary Asim Iftikhar in two contempt petitions. The petitions concern two Pakistanis detained in the UAE. Their families say a September court order was not followed.
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What Happened: Court Issues Contempt Notices
Justice Sadiq Mehmood Khurram heard both petitions on Thursday. After initial arguments, he asked the foreign secretary to file a reply by October 29. The case is the latest legal step for the Pakistanis detained in the UAE.
Whom It Concerns: The Detainees and Their Families
The petitions concern Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir, who are described as PTI-affiliated. Zaidi’s wife, Faryal Zainab, and Jahangir’s father, Muhammad Ibrahim, filed the petitions. Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi appeared for both. They are the two Pakistanis detained in the UAE at the center of the dispute.
When and Where: Detentions in September 2024
According to the petitions, Zaidi went missing from his home in Sharjah on September 27, 2024. He was then taken into custody by UAE authorities.
Jahangir was allegedly detained at Dubai airport on September 24, 2024, as he returned from Saudi Arabia. Nearly two years later, both Pakistanis detained in the UAE remain in custody, the counsel said.
Why the Families Went to Court: Alleged Lack of Access
Counsel alleged that both men remain without consular, diplomatic, and legal access. Zainab says she has not received clear information about the charges, the court proceedings, any sentence, or the full court record.
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The families argue that the state has not given effective protection to Pakistanis detained in the UAE.
How It Reached Contempt: The September 14 Order
On September 14, the LHC directed the foreign secretary to process the families’ representations, preferably within 15 days of receiving a certified copy of the order.
The petitioners say they have not been formally told of any decision. They therefore asked the court to begin contempt proceedings over the case of Pakistanis detained in the UAE.
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What the Petitioners Want: Relief Sought
The petitioners want legal and consular help for both men. They also want their judicial records obtained and diplomatic steps taken toward their return to Pakistan.
The reports reviewed carry no response yet from the Foreign Office or UAE authorities on the Pakistanis detained in the UAE.
What Happens Next
The foreign secretary’s reply, due October 29, will show how the ministry explains its handling of the representations. The court will then decide whether to take the contempt matter further.
The claims so far come from the petitioners’ counsel. For now, the case keeps the fate of the Pakistanis detained in the UAE before the court and in public view.
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