The Supreme Court of Pakistan has dismissed a contempt of court petition regarding the denial of a Shaheed Package to the family of a Village Defense Committee (VDC) member killed during duty. The case was heard by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, with Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb and another judge on the bench.

During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa argued that the Shaheed Package is only applicable to police personnel who are martyred during official duty, and members of the Village Defense Committees do not fall under that defined category.

He further told the court that, despite this, the provincial government had provided relief to the bereaved family by offering a job to the martyr’s nephew and paying compensation of Rs. 300,000. He cautioned that if the package were extended beyond the defined scope, it would open a “new Pandora’s box.”

Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb questioned why the provincial government had not filed an appeal against the Peshawar High Court’s order, which directed that the Shaheed Package be given. In response, the Additional Advocate General requested the Supreme Court to treat the contempt case as an opportunity to review the High Court’s decision.

However, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi made it clear that contempt proceedings cannot be converted into a review of a High Court judgment. “It is your right to file a review petition, but we cannot direct you to do so,” the CJP remarked.

When the law officer reiterated his concern about opening a Pandora’s box, Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb retorted: “If a Pandora’s box is to open, let it open.”

At the conclusion of proceedings, the Supreme Court dismissed the contempt of court petition, upholding judicial boundaries while leaving the option of review open for the provincial government.