PM Vows Full Support in Aafia Siddiqui’s Case

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured continued support for Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned in the United States since 2010. During a meeting with Dr Fouzia Siddiqui, the sister of Dr Aafia, the prime minister reiterated the government’s commitment to pursuing all legal and diplomatic avenues for her release.

Meeting with Aafia’s Sister

On Friday, PM Shehbaz met Dr Fouzia Siddiqui at the Prime Minister’s Office in Islamabad. He assured her that the government was actively engaged in efforts to secure justice for Dr Aafia and that “no negligence” would be tolerated in the matter.

“The government is in no way negligent regarding the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui,” the prime minister stated. He emphasized that her case remained a high-priority humanitarian and legal issue.

Dr Aafia’s Legal Battle

Dr Aafia Siddiqui was indicted by a New York federal court in 2008 on charges of attempted murder and assault, following an incident during an interrogation in Ghazni, Afghanistan. She denied all charges but was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to 86 years in prison. Since then, she has been held in a U.S. federal prison.

Her case has remained controversial and emotional in Pakistan, where many believe she was wrongfully targeted and mistreated. Legal experts, human rights activists, and political figures have called for justice and repatriation for over a decade.

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Previous Government Efforts

According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the government has taken multiple steps to aid Dr Aafia. These include providing legal counsel, facilitating consular access, and maintaining communication with U.S. authorities.

Earlier in his tenure, PM Shehbaz sent a formal letter to then-U.S. President Joe Biden, requesting clemency for Dr Aafia. While the appeal was not accepted, the move reflected Islamabad’s continued diplomatic push.

In addition, a high-level committee was formed under Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar. This committee is tasked with overseeing progress on the case and coordinating with Dr Aafia’s family and legal team.

Legal and Diplomatic Coordination

The government stated that the committee will stay in regular contact with Dr Fouzia Siddiqui and provide consistent updates. PM Shehbaz instructed that no avenue should be left unexplored in seeking relief for Dr Aafia.

He also pledged that legal representation would be strengthened further and that Pakistan’s embassy in Washington would remain active in monitoring her condition and well-being.

Allegations of Abuse in U.S. Custody

In June of last year, American human rights lawyer Clive Stafford Smith, who represents Dr Aafia, made disturbing claims regarding her treatment in prison. He alleged that Dr Aafia had been repeatedly subjected to sexual and physical abuse at the prison facility in Fort Worth, Texas.

According to Stafford Smith, Dr Aafia told him that a prison guard raped her as an act of punishment. He further stated that she faced ongoing harassment and mistreatment by prison staff. These revelations sparked renewed outrage in Pakistan and intensified calls for her repatriation.

Public Sentiment and Continued Advocacy

Dr Aafia’s case has remained a focal point in Pakistan’s civil rights discourse. Her supporters see her imprisonment as a case of injustice and demand immediate action from the government. Protestors, political leaders, and advocacy groups have held regular demonstrations urging her return.

The prime minister’s latest meeting with her sister is seen as a reaffirmation of the state’s responsibility. Many observers believe that sustained diplomatic pressure and international advocacy are needed to achieve a breakthrough.

As the campaign for Dr Aafia Siddiqui continues, her case remains symbolic of broader concerns about human rights, due process, and the treatment of foreign detainees under U.S. custody. The government’s next steps will likely shape public perception of its commitment to protecting Pakistani citizens abroad.