Daily Times

KARACHI: Family of Pakistani mother Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who has been languishing in a US prison, has said that for last two years they have not talked to her on telephone because this facility is presumably withdrawn from her on Saturday.

In a press release issued here on Saturday, Aafia Movement Pakistan leader and noted Neuro Physician of the country, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui said that “The family is extremely concerned about the health and wellbeing of Aafia, as they have no telephonic communication with her for last two years.” She said that “The family does not know how she is passing her days in detention in the American jail.” She regretted that “Even on the occasion of the Eid, the family remained deprived of telephonic talk to Aafia.”

Fowzia said that “The government officials in Pakistani embassy in the US have failed to take steps regarding resumption of telephonic communication of Aafia with her family. They have also failed to take serious steps to seek her release.” She said that “It is necessary that the government officials should discharge their duties honestly so that the confidence of people is resorted on them.”

Fowzia reminded that, “Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in April 1948 while addressing the government officers in Peshawar had told them that they should never be influenced by any political pressure, by any political party or any individual politician. If you want to raise the prestige and greatness of Pakistan you must not fall victim to any pressure but do your duty as servants of the people and the state, fearlessly and honestly.”

Fowzia regretted that, “The Pakistani officers instead of following the guidance given by Quaid-e-Azam have become salves of corrupt ruling politicians. She said that protection of citizens should be the top most responsibility of the government officers.” She said that “Dr Aafia Siddiqui was kidnapped along with her three minor children in broad daylight from a street of Karachi and they were sold and trafficked to a foreign country for the US dollars. The constitution of Pakistan was fully violated in the kidnapping and trafficking of Aafia and her children but no action so far has been taken against the culprits.”

Fowzia demanded appointments and postings of government officers on merit, so that they could discharge their duties honesty for the wellbeing of citizens of Pakistan. She said that “The nation needs honest and committed rulers. The rulers have been deceiving the masses on the issue of Aafia release since 2003. Betrayal to the cause of the daughter of the nation cannot give respect and honor to the rulers.”

Fowzia said that “Not only the Pakistani nation but the peace loving people of the whole world have been demanding the release and repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.”