Daily Times

The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to secure the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui from US detention.

Presented by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) member Muhammad Farooq, the resolution called upon the federal authorities to press for the repatriation of Dr. Siddiqui, often referred to as “Sindh’s daughter.”

During the session, Sindh’s Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah confirmed federal efforts, acknowledging the government’s formation of a committee to address the matter.

The Assembly session was adjourned until the following day.

Last week, the Additional Attorney General informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the government will send a delegation to the US for the Aafia Siddiqui case.

The delegation will include former and current parliamentarians, senators, retired or active military officials, doctors, and Fauzia Siddiqui.

A representative from the Foreign Ministry informed the court that the ministry has shared a proposal for a Prisoner Transfer Agreement (PTA) with the US.

During the hearing regarding Fauzia Siddiqui’s request for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s recovery and repatriation, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, the Additional Attorney General, the Foreign Ministry representative, Fauzia Siddiqui’s lawyer Imran Shafiq, and court assistant Zainab Janjua were present.

Zainab Janjua stated that Dr. Fauzia also requested a medical check-up for Aafia Siddiqui, while the government lawyer informed that the Prime Minister has approved sending the delegation to the US.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq asked what the Foreign Ministry could do and when a response regarding the PTA would come. The Foreign Ministry representative stated that a response might be received soon. Zainab Janjua emphasised that Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui and the family requested doctors be sent from Pakistan for Aafia Siddiqui.

The court adjourned the case hearing until next week.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif requested US President Joe Biden to release Dr Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds.

In a letter written by the PM to the US president, Shehbaz Sharif stated that Dr Aafia Siddiqui had been sentenced to 86 years in prison by a US District Court.

He urged Biden to use his constitutional authority to grant a pardon and order her release on humanitarian grounds.

PM Shehbaz highlighted that Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s family, along with millions of Pakistanis, were awaiting the act of kindness.

Dr Aafia has been incarcerated in FMC Carswell since September 2010, serving 16 years in a US jail.

The PM noted that over the years, Pakistani officials had held consular meetings with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, during which serious concerns about her medical treatment were raised.

There are significant worries regarding her deteriorating mental and physical health, and concerns have been expressed that she may take her own life. Her case should be viewed with compassion, the letter mentioned.

The prime minister wrote that it was his “solemn duty” to ensure the wellbeing of his citizens, appealing to Biden to fulfill the same role as a head of state. “I am well aware of how passionately you have fought for the rights of your citizens, particularly those stranded or held captive abroad,” the PM wrote.

“You would, therefore, fully understand that as prime minister, it is my solemn duty to intervene when it becomes necessary to ensure a citizen’s wellbeing, particularly when the circumstances are as dire as they are in this case.”

The prime minister urged Biden to release Dr Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds, writing, “I have always known you to be a committed friend of Pakistan who has demonstrated warmth and genuine friendship for our people.

“I request you, Mr president, to kindly exercise your constitutional authority and accept Dr Siddiqui’s clemency petition and order her release, strictly on humanitarian grounds.”