The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) lacks legal authority to determine criminal culpability, declaring its 2025 opinion against Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza “null and void.” The court found that the CII overstepped its constitutional mandate by issuing an opinion in a pending blasphemy case, violating Articles 229 and 230 of the Constitution.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani emphasised that only courts have the authority to determine criminal liability and that the CII’s intervention undermined the accused’s right to a fair trial under Article 10-A. The ruling also criticised investigative agencies for relying on the Council’s opinion in legal proceedings.

The verdict reinforces the separation of powers and due process, highlighting concerns around the misuse of advisory bodies in criminal cases and the protection of fundamental rights in Pakistan’s justice system.