ISLAMABAD (Online) – The Standing Committee of the National Assembly has directed the Ministry of Law, Foreign Affairs and human rights organisations to finalise a strategy collectively to move to International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

The NA Standing Committee met here Wednesday with Riaz Fatayana in the chair. Dr Fauzai Sadiqui, sister of Dr Aafia Saddiqui, attended the meeting on the special invitation. The committee reviewed the measures taken by the government regarding release of Dr Aafia.

Dr Fauzia termed the performance of Pakistan’s ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani as unsatisfactorily. Riaz Fatayana said law regarding trial of any accused inside the local court before handing over to foreign country exists. Trial against Dr Aafia should have been held in Pakistan or Afghanistan, the committee said. Member NA Standing Committee Javed Hashmi on the occasion said Hussain Haqqani failed to satisfy him during his visit to the Untied States on the issue of Dr Aafia.

Additional Secretary of US Desk of Foreign Ministry Atia Mehmood informed the NA Standing Committee that issues related to financial and bilateral conflicts can only be moved to ICJ. The committee was informed that an amount of Rs $2 million was paid to lawyers for pursuing the case of Dr Aafia.

Joint Secretary on Human Rights Ahmed Yar suggested that an application for the release of Dr Aafia on parole should be submitted to the US President.

The committee, however did not agree with the suggestion, saying Dr Aafia did not commit any crime. The Foreign Ministry informed the committee that five Pakistanis are still in Guantanamo Bay.

The committee asked the Foreign Ministry to move to the court instead of just focusing on diplomatic efforts as false cases were framed against these persons.

SOURCE : Nation.com.pk

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