Government of Pakistan has officially requested a presidential pardon for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently imprisoned in United States. This information emerged during a recent hearing i Islamabad High Court, where Additional Attorney General Manoor Iqbal Dogal informed the court about government’s efforts to secure her release and repatriation.
During the hearing, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the case filed by Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, Aafia’s sister. Dr. Fauzia urged the government to support her sister’s return to Pakistan. Advocate Imran Shafiq, representing Dr. Fauzia, emphasized urgency of the situation and expressed hope that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s letter to U.S. President would help facilitate Aafia’s repatriation.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, received a conviction in United States in 2010 for attempted murder and assault on U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Her case has sparked controversy and debate, raising diplomatic tensions between Pakistan and U.S.
A Brief Overview of Aafia Siddiqui’s Case
Aafia Siddiqui was born in Karachi in 1972 to an educated family. She pursued her studies in United States and earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Brandeis University in 2001. Known for her intelligence and dedication to her faith, Siddiqui’s life changed drastically after September 11, 2001, attacks.
In 2003, U.S. media linked Siddiqui to Al-Qaeda, alleging her involvement in planning attacks against United States. Later that year, she disappeared in Pakistan with her three children, leading to years of speculation about her whereabouts.
In 2008, U.S. forces arrested her in Ghazni, Afghanistan, under controversial circumstances. Authorities accused Siddiqui of attempting to shoot American soldiers during an interrogation. They claimed that, despite being detained, she managed to grab a rifle and fire, although she did not hit anyone. In response, personnel shot her in abdomen, severely injuring her.
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Trial and Public Reaction
Dr. Siddiqui’s trial took place in New York in 2010, where a jury convicted her of attempted murder and assault. Despite absence of solid evidence proving she fired a weapon, jury found her guilty, and she received an 86-year prison sentence. Trial drew significant criticism, especially in Pakistan, where many viewed it as unjust.
Human rights organizations and activists have raised concerns about fairness of her trial and credibility of evidence presented against her. In Pakistan, Aafia Siddiqui’s case has triggered widespread protests, with civil society urging the government to secure her release. Many refer to her as “Daughter of the Nation,” and her situation continues to generate anti-American sentiment.
Pakistani government has made various attempts to negotiate her repatriation through legal means and prisoner exchange programs. However, these efforts have not been fruitful, as U.S. maintains that she is serving a legitimate sentence.
Current Status
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui currently serves her sentence at Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas, where concerns about her health have emerged. Her case remains a focal point for human rights activists and political figures in Pakistan, with regular rallies and protests calling for her release. As the government seeks a presidential pardon, many hope this will lead to her return home.