ISLAMABAD: In the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release from the American prison and her return home, the government of Pakistan wrote a letter to the American President requesting a remission of her sentence.
As per media reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote a letter to the U.S. President requesting a pardon for Aafia Siddiqui. Additional Attorney General Manoor Iqbal Dogal informed the Islamabad High Court about these important developments.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of the Islamabad High Court heard the request for the release and repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui sister, Fauzia Siddiqui, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court. Advocate Imran Shafiq appeared in court on behalf of Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui.
Imran Shafiq, the lawyer for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, told the media that after two years, due to their efforts, there has been significant progress in the case. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has written a letter to the U.S. President to request the release of Dr. Aafia.
They requested the court to urge the government of Pakistan to demand Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release from the U.S. In accordance with their request, the Prime Minister wrote a letter to the American President.
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He stated that the Attorney General had informed the court that the government had written a letter to the U.S. President.
The court directed that the government of Pakistan should provide full support in this regard. Another important step is that the court also directed the government of Pakistan to send a high-level delegation in this matter. This step by the government is welcomed.
Who is Aafia Siddiqui?
Dr. Aafia was arrested by Afghan police in July 2008 for possessing chemical ingredients and writings that mentioned an attack on New York, which could have caused heavy casualties.
As per authorities, Dr. Aafia raised a rifle and fired at soldiers when questioned about the recovery of chemical ingredients and writings related to the attack in New York. No Americans were injured in the incident.
Dr. Aafias lawyers argued that she grabbed the rifle and opened fire in a state of unconsciousness. They maintained that this act by Aafia was not connected to terrorism.
Aafia Siddiqui was convicted and sentenced to 86 years in prison by a U.S. court on seven counts of attempted murder of U.S. military and government officials in Afghanistan.
