Latest news with #AafiaSiddiqui
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
The nation's daughter
We call her the daughter of our nation, yet Aafia Siddiqui has become a symbol of our deepest failure. A Pakistani citizen abducted, disappeared and sentenced in a sham trial to 86 years in a US prison, Aafia remains imprisoned at FMC Carswell, where she has endured years of abuse, degradation and neglect. The Pakistani government has long professed to champion her cause but now, in a shocking turn, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared before the Islamabad High Court that it has done 'enough' for Aafia and that her legal battle must end. All this despite the fact that Aafia faces sexual assault daily, is denied medical care, and is blocked from meeting with an imam even during Ramazan. This is not injustice — this is abandonment. The US Consulate in Houston refuses to act on Aafia's reports of abuse. Pakistani officials have ignored medical records that detail her suffering. Even the Pakistani Prime Minister's letter was met with silence from President Joe Biden of the US. One glaring example of the government's inability to act is its claim that a prisoner swap is impossible due to the absence of a legal framework between Pakistan and the US. Prisoner swaps are political decisions. The US has made such exchanges with adversaries like Russia and Iran, and Pakistan can surely take advantage of its leverage. Last year, Aafia's legal team filed a lawsuit exposing the constitutional violations Aafia has suffered through. The Pakistan government has not filed a single document in her defence — not even an amicus brief against sexual assault, medical neglect or religious suppression. Even obtaining her inmate account, crucial to proving her indigency, has become a legal battle the Pakistan government refuses to join. Aafia has spent over 5,000 days in prison for crimes she did not commit. The evidence of her innocence continues to grow. We must not abandon her to die in silence. Maria Kari USA
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aafia Siddiqui's US lawyer, Clive Smith, to visit Pakistan in May
Listen to article The lawyer representing Pakistani neurologist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui in the United States, Clive Stafford Smith, has decided to visit Pakistan to attend a case hearing regarding her release and repatriation. Imran Shafique, Aafia Siddiqui's local lawyer, informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) of Smith's decision during a hearing on Monday. Smith is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on May 4, as confirmed by Shafique. In light of this development, Shafique requested that the IHC adjourn the current hearing and set the next date for May 6 to allow for consultation with Smith. Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan, who was presiding over the hearing, asked government representatives if they had any objections to the proposed date. The law officer confirmed there were no objections, and the court subsequently scheduled the next hearing for May 6. The IHC also noted the absence of newly appointed Additional Attorney General Umar Aslam during the proceedings. The case has now been adjourned until May 6 for further deliberation. Earlier, during the previous hearing, the federal government rejected the proposal to exchange Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's release for the handover of Dr. Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor convicted of assisting the CIA in locating Osama bin Laden. Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, born in 1972 in Karachi, Pakistan, was an accomplished neuroscientist who earned a PhD from Brandeis University in 2001. Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case began in 2003 after the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), Al-Qaeda's 9/11 mastermind. Siddiqui, reportedly married to KSM's nephew, disappeared with her children in Karachi, later earning the title 'Lady Al-Qaeda' due to alleged links with Al-Qaeda. In 2008, she was arrested in Afghanistan, allegedly carrying sodium cyanide and plans for attacks on US targets. During interrogation, Siddiqui reportedly wrestled hold of a US soldier's rifle and attempted to shoot US agents, shouting 'Death to America.' She was wounded in the process and later showed signs of severe mistreatment. Siddiqui's son was released in Afghanistan, while her other two children's whereabouts remain unknown. In 2010, she was convicted of attempted murder in the US and sentenced to 86 years, though she was never charged with direct ties to terrorism.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Dr Aafia Siddiqui Case: IHC questions US prisoner transfer
Listen to article Islamabad High Court (IHC) has raised concerns over the transfer of detainees to the United States without a formal prisoner exchange agreement, as it heard a plea seeking the repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. During the hearing, the federal government submitted an application requesting the immediate disposal of the plea for Siddiqui's release. The court issued a notice on the government's application and sought a response. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan questioned why Pakistan had handed over Daesh commander Sharifullah to the US despite having no formal prisoner exchange treaty. Addressing the Additional Attorney General (AAG), he remarked, "You claim there is no agreement, yet a detainee was handed over without one." The court also referred to the Dr. Shakil Afridi case, stating that the government had been given an opportunity for in-camera proceedings regarding his possible transfer to the US, but its response had been unsatisfactory. Justice Khan further observed that the government seemed eager to dispose of Aafia Siddiqui's case, adding that such actions would be noticed internationally. "The prime minister wrote a letter, visas were issued—everything that could be done has been done. Does this mean the government wants to wash its hands of the case?" he asked. The hearing was attended by petitioner's lawyer Imran Shafiq Advocate, AAG Munawar Iqbal Duggal, Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, and US attorney Clive Stafford Smith, who appeared via video link. The court adjourned the hearing until next Friday while issuing a notice on the government's application. How did Dr. Aafia Siddiqui end up in Texas? Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's case began in 2003 after the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), Al-Qaeda's 9/11 mastermind. Siddiqui, reportedly married to KSM's nephew, disappeared with her children in Karachi, later earning the title 'Lady Al-Qaeda' due to alleged links with Al-Qaeda. In 2008, she was arrested in Afghanistan, allegedly carrying sodium cyanide and plans for attacks on US targets. During interrogation, Siddiqui reportedly wrestled hold of a US soldier's rifle and attempted to shoot US agents, shouting 'Death to America.' She was wounded in the process and later showed signs of severe mistreatment. Siddiqui's son was released in Afghanistan, while her other two children's whereabouts remain unknown. In 2010, she was convicted of attempted murder in the US and sentenced to 86 years, though she was never charged with direct ties to terrorism.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Swapping Dr Shakeel Afridi with Dr Aafia 'not workable'
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Friday that a proposal floated by the American lawyer of Dr Aafia Siddiqui for hand over of Shakeel Afridi to the US for release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui with was not workable, as there was no agreement between the two countries for exchange of prisoners. Additional Attorney General Munawwar Iqbal Duggal also told the IHC that the government backed out from supporting a court petition in a US court for her release, citing reservations on some points included in the draft. IHC Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard the petition for the release and repatriation of Dr Siddiqui. During the hearing, the court asked about the case of Shakeel Afridi. The court was informed that Afridi was a convicted person, and his appeal was pending in the Peshawar High Court (PHC). Duggal said that American lawyer Clive Smith's proposal for extraditing Afridi in exchange for the release of Dr Siddiqui was not workable. He added that both were Pakistan citizens and that there was no prisoner exchange treaty between Pakistan and the US. Duggal also highlighted the government's reservations to an appeal filed in a US Court by Dr Siddiqui. The court expressed surprise at the government's withdrawal of support and gave the additional attorney general one week's time to inform it about the objections.
Express Tribune
21-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aafia-Afridi swap proposal cannot be implemented, IHC told
Listen to article The federal government informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday about a proposal to exchange Dr Aafia Siddiqui for Shakeel Afridi. IHC Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard a petition seeking Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release from the US prison. During the hearing, Additional Attorney General Manzoor Iqbal Dogar argued that the proposal to hand over Afridi in exchange for Siddiqui's release was not feasible. The proposal was originally suggested by Dr. Siddiqui's counsel, Clive Smith, as part of efforts to secure her release. He also raised concerns regarding issues in a draft petition filed in a US court concerning Dr Siddiqui's case. Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan expressed surprise at the government's stance, which appeared to retract support for Siddiqui's petition for release in the US court. The IHC directed the law officer to consult with the government and provide a response to any objections raised by the next Friday's hearing. Dogar further noted that both Shakeel Afridi and Aafia Siddiqui are Pakistani nationals and emphasised that Pakistan has no agreement with the US on prisoner exchanges. During the hearing, Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq inquired about the importance of Afridi to the US and asked for an update on his case. Zainab Janjua, a court assistant, informed the court that Shakeel Afridi is convicted, with his appeal still pending in the Peshawar High Court (PHC). Fauzia Siddiqui's lawyer, Imran Shafiq, mentioned that Afridi faces charges of espionage and providing assistance. Iqbal Dogar also informed the court that a letter on the matter was submitted on February 19, but former US President Joe Biden had rejected the request without acknowledging it. To this, Justice Khan raised concerns about the lack of a response from the White House and questioned the diplomatic propriety of sending a letter without a reply. Subsquently, the IHC postponed the hearing of the case until next Friday. Aafia Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year sentence in the US, following her conviction by a federal court in New York in 2010 on attempted murder and other charges.
