KARACHI: Several Christian leaders on Monday appealed to Pope Francis to play his role in securing an early release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
The appeal was made by father of the Great Commission Pentecostal Church of Pakistan Rev Justin Sardar, Javed Masih, Nadeem Ashraf and Javed Khan during their visit to the symbolic hunger strike camp set up outside the Karachi Press Club. Aafia Movement leader Dr Fowzia Siddiqui and Pasban Pakistan President Altaf Shakoor were also present.
“God wants that we should uphold justice and love all human beings. To have mercy on people and tolerate one another are priceless virtues. The Bible teaches us to free prisoners and show mercy and kindness to the distressed people. Dr Aafia is also a prisoner who deserves mercy and kindness. This Pakistani mother is also loved by people who call her ‘daughter of the nation’. Aafia does deserve mercy,” Rev Sardar said. Dr Fowzia Siddiqui said the civil society in the whole world had been demanding Aafia’s release.