The government of Pakistan has officially requested a presidential pardon for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, currently imprisoned in the United States, according to a report presented in the Islamabad High Court.
During a hearing on the ongoing efforts for her release and repatriation, the Additional Attorney General, Manoor Iqbal Dogal, informed the court that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to the U.S. President, seeking a pardon for Siddiqui.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the case, which was filed by Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, the sister of Aafia Siddiqui, requesting the government’s efforts for her release and safe return to Pakistan. Advocate Imran Shafiq appeared in court on behalf of Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, emphasizing the urgency of the matter and expressing hopes that the letter would pave the way for her repatriation.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, was convicted in the United States in 2010 for attempted murder and assault on U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.
What is Aafia Siddiqui's case?
The case of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, remains one of the most contentious legal issues involving Pakistan and the United States.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, Siddiqui's life took a drastic turn after the events of September 11, 2001, leading to a series of allegations, arrests, and convictions that have sparked outrage, debate, and diplomatic tensions.
Aafia Siddiqui was born in 1972 into an educated family in Karachi. She pursued her studies in the United States, earning a PhD in neuroscience from Brandeis University in 2001. Known for her academic brilliance and religious devotion, Siddiqui’s life took a significant shift when she was accused of having ties to ‘extremist organizations’ following the 9/11 attacks.
The Allegations and Arrest
Siddiqui's name surfaced in the U.S. media in 2003 when she was alleged to be associated with Al-Qaeda and suspected of being involved in planning attacks against the United States. That same year, she ‘disappeared’ in Pakistan along with her three children, leading to years of speculation about her whereabouts.
In 2008, Aafia Siddiqui was arrested in Ghazni, Afghanistan, under controversial circumstances. She was accused of attempting to shoot American soldiers during an interrogation session, an incident that forms the core of the charges against her.
The U.S. authorities claimed that Siddiqui, despite being detained, managed to grab a rifle and opened fire, though she did not hit anyone. In response, the U.S. personnel shot her in the abdomen, severely wounding her.
Trial and Conviction
Siddiqui’s trial took place in New York in 2010, where she was convicted of attempted murder and assault. Despite the lack of physical evidence proving that she fired a weapon, the jury found her guilty, and she was sentenced to 86 years in prison.
The trial attracted significant criticism, particularly in Pakistan, where Siddiqui’s case became a symbol of perceived injustice by the United States.
Human rights organizations and activists have raised concerns about the fairness of the trial and the credibility of the evidence presented.
Diplomatic and Public Reactions
In Pakistan, Aafia Siddiqui’s case has triggered widespread protests, and successive Pakistani governments have been urged by civil society to seek her release.
Siddiqui is often referred to as the "Daughter of the Nation" in Pakistan, and her case continues to fuel anti-American sentiment in the country.
Diplomatically, the Pakistani government has made multiple attempts to negotiate Siddiqui's repatriation, either through legal avenues or prisoner exchange programs.
However, these efforts have not been successful so far, with the U.S. maintaining that she is serving a justly earned sentence.
Current Status and Calls for Release
Aafia Siddiqui is currently serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas, where her health remains a concern. Her case continues to be a focal point for human rights activists and political figures, especially in Pakistan, where rallies and protests calling for her release are a regular occurrence.
