According to a report submitted to the Islamabad High Court, the Pakistani government has formally asked for the presidential pardon of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is incarcerated in the United States.
Manoor Iqbal Dogal, the Additional Attorney General, told the court during a hearing on the ongoing efforts to release and repatriate Siddiqui that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written to the President of the United States, requesting a pardon for Siddiqui.
Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, filed a complaint asking the government to work towards her freedom and safe return to Pakistan. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the case. In court, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui’s attorney, Imran Shafiq, emphasised the seriousness of the situation and expressed optimism that the letter would open the door for her return.
In 2010, the American court found Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui guilty of attempted murder and assault against US servicemen in Afghanistan.
What’s the case of Aafia Siddiqui?
One of the most divisive court cases between Pakistan and the US is still that of neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui.
Siddiqui was born in Karachi, Pakistan, but after the events of September 11, 2001, his life took a sharp turn. This resulted in a number of accusations, detentions, and convictions that have provoked controversy, discussion, and tensions between nations.
Aafia Siddiqui was born in Karachi in 1972 into a well-educated family. She continued her studies in the US, graduating from Brandeis University in 2001 with a PhD in neuroscience. Well-known for her scholastic prowess and strong religious convictions, Siddiqui’s life dramatically changed after it was alleged that she had connections to “extremist organisations” in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
The Charges and the Detention
When Siddiqui was suspected of being involved in the planning of strikes against the United States and was allegedly connected to Al-Qaeda in 2003, her name began to appear in American media. She and her three kids “disappeared” in Pakistan in the same year, sparking years of rumours about her location.
Aafia Siddiqui was controversially captured in Ghazni, Afghanistan, in 2008. The main accusation against her is that she tried to shoot US soldiers while being questioned.
Despite being imprisoned, Siddiqui allegedly managed to obtain a firearm and fire, missing no one, according to U.S. authorities. She was critically wounded when the American forces shot her in the belly in retaliation.
Verdict and Trial Results
During her 2010 trial in New York, Siddiqui was found guilty of attempted murder and assault. The jury declared her guilty even though there was no tangible evidence that she had fired a weapon, and she was given an 86-year prison sentence as punishment.
Siddiqui’s case became a symbol of alleged injustice by the United States, and the trial drew heavy condemnation, especially in Pakistan.
Concerns concerning the trial’s fairness and the reliability of the evidence submitted have been voiced by human rights organisations and activists.
Public and Diplomatic Reactions
Civil society in Pakistan has pushed successive Pakistani administrations to pursue Aafia Siddiqui’s release, as her situation has sparked large-scale protests throughout the country.
In Pakistan, Siddiqui is frequently referred to as the “Daughter of the Nation,” and her case serves to stoke anti-American sentiment there.
Through official channels or prisoner exchange programs, the Pakistani government has diplomatically attempted several times to arrange Siddiqui’s return.
The United States maintains that she is serving a justly earned term, hence these attempts have not been successful thus far.
Present Situation and Requests for Publication
Aafia Siddiqui is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Centre in Carswell, Texas, where her health is still a concern while she serves her term. Human rights advocates and prominent politicians continue to be drawn to her plight, particularly in Pakistan where demonstrations and rallies demanding her freedom are held on a regular basis.
