ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to extend every possible legal and diplomatic effort for the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the Pakistani neuroscientist imprisoned in the United States.
In a meeting with Dr Aafia’s sister, Dr Fouzia Siddiqui, on Friday, the prime minister said the government had not shown any negligence in pursuing the matter and would continue to support the family.
Dr Aafia was indicted in 2008 by a New York federal court on charges of attempted murder and assault during an interrogation in Ghazni, Afghanistan—charges she consistently denied. After being held for 18 months, she was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to 86 years in prison, where she remains confined in the US.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Shehbaz Sharif had earlier written to then-US President Joe Biden, requesting clemency for Dr Aafia, but the appeal was not granted.
The premier has also formed a dedicated committee, headed by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, to ensure continued progress in the case. The committee will remain in close contact with Dr Fouzia and extend full legal and diplomatic assistance.
In June 2024, Clive Stafford Smith, an American human rights lawyer representing Dr Aafia, revealed shocking details of her mistreatment in prison, alleging continuous sexual harassment and abuse at the Fort Worth jail in Texas.
“Dr Aafia has been repeatedly subjected to physical and sexual abuse, including a recent assault by a security guard,” Smith said at the time, sparking renewed calls for her immediate release.
Shehbaz Sharif assured Dr Fouzia that the government would intensify diplomatic efforts, highlighting that her sister’s plight remains a top humanitarian concern for Pakistan.
