NEW YORK: The Pakistan government is doing all it can at the diplomatic and legal fronts to secure the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist detained in the US, Pakistani Ambassador Hussain Haqqani said on Friday.

Introducing a three-member “A-class” legal defence team retained by the Pakistan government to US-based Pakistani correspondents, Haqqani said the lawyers would put up a strong defence in a bid to bring an end to Aafia’s difficulties. The legal team comprises Charles Swift, Linda Moreno and Elaine Sharp.

These eminent lawyers were cleared by the Manhattan Federal Court on September 2.

Aafia, who is charged with shooting at US interrogators in Afghanistan last July, has vehemently denied attacking any one. She’s not facing terrorism charges.

Following the selection of a jury on Thursday, her trial is set to begin on January 19, when opening statements will be made by the prosecution and defence lawyers following which the government will produce its first witnesses.

The whole process is expected to be completed in a couple Buy Revia Online Pharmacy No Prescription Needed of weeks.

Haqqani said the people of Pakistan believed that the charges against Aafia were “not true” and that she was Buy doxycycline online being victimised and want her released immediately.

The ambassador said President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the Pakistan embassy in Washington had made efforts for her release and were continued to do so.

Charles Swift said the charge against Aafia was baseless adding that over the last four months, “the team had worked hard and gathered as much information as possible to build a strong defence”. Swift said he also visited Ghazni to interview witnesses.

SOURCE: Dailytimes.com.pk

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