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ISF holds rally for Aafia’s release
LAHORE: The Insaf Students Federation (ISF) on Tuesday took out a rally to express solidarity with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, demanding her immediate release.
“Insaf Rally”, which started from Faisal Chowk near the Punjab Assembly, was led by Dr Aafia’s sister Dr Fauzia Siddiqui while hundreds of students from different universities and colleges, including Superior University, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), the Punjab University and the FC College University, participated in the rally and expressed resentment over the verdict against Dr Aafia by the US jury.
Carrying banners and placards inscribed with anti-US and pro-Dr Aafia slogans, the charged protesters reached the Shimla Pahari near the US Consulate, Lahore, where Dr Fauzia and ISF office-bearers addressed the protesting students.
Hundreds march against Dr Aafia’s ‘illegal’ detention
* Aafia’s sister Dr Fauzia leads protest, says all allegations
‘baseless’, US court proceedings ‘fraud’
By Hussain Kashif
LAHORE: Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui on Tuesday mobilised hundreds of young students from key educational institutes across the city to protest against the detention and torture of Dr Aafia who is currently in US custody.
The protest rally was organised by the Insaf Students Federation (ISF) of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and was held in front of the US Consulate.
Dr Aafia’s appeal
THE aftermath of Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s conviction nearly two weeks ago in a New York courtroom has seen several protests. On Feb 13, students from universities all over Islamabad congregated at Aapbara Chowk and demanded her release, while pointing out the silence of human rights groups.
A day earlier, Lahore’s Liberty Chowk saw students and faculty members of several educational institutions come together to protest against Dr Aafia’s continued detention. Many other protests have been witnessed since the verdict was announced.
While the facts of Dr Aafia’s case remain shrouded in secrecy, the transformation of her case from one of suspected terrorism to Pakistan’s cause célèbre is undeniable. No other female figure facing serious criminal charges has ever garnered so much public outpouring of support in Pakistan’s recent history.
PM urges US to repatriate Aafia
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday demanded early repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US to Pakistan.
The PM while talking to Chairman of US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee Senator John Kerry and Richard Armitage conveyed sentiments of the 170 million countrymen to the US officials regarding the illegal abduction and conviction of Dr Aafia Siddiqui for a crime that she never committed. The Prime Minister suggested to the US officials that in order to improve perceptions attached to the US image in the country, Pakistan should be de-listed from amongst the countries whose nationals had been marked for special screenings at the US airports. It is relevant to mention here that Dr Aafia was abducted by the FBI agents near Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, and had been languishing in the notorious US jails since 2003.
Nawaz urges more diplomatic efforts for Aafia’s release
LAHORE: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League-N Nawaz Sharif has urged the government to step up diplomatic efforts for the release of Dr. Aafia.
Nawaz Sharif demanded this during a meeting with Dr. Aafia’s sister Dr.Fouzia who met him at his residence in Raiwind.
Dr. Fouzia has thanked PML-N for its principle stand and requested Nawaz Sharif to raise voice at every forum in future also.
Dr Fauzia briefs students on Aafia case
LAHORE: Dr Fauzia Sidiqqui, sister of Dr Aafia Sidiqqui, on Monday visited various educational institutions in the city and briefed students about her sister’s case.
Fauzia made speeches at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), University of Lahore (UCS) and Superior University, Raiwind Campus where a large number of students welcomed her and showed keen interest in the case of Dr Aafia, who is being detained in the US “for assaulting American personnel in Afghanistan”.
Beside students, faculty members, the media and Insaf Students Federation activists were also present at the lectures. Speaking at LUMS, Fauzia appreciated the support of the students who had highlighted her sister’s plight by staging protests across the city.
Fauzia holds Haqqani responsible for Aafia conviction
LAHORE: Dr. Fauzia Siddiqi has held Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington, responsible for spoiling the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqi in the US court.
Addressing a press conference along with Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in Lahore today (Monday), Dr. Siddiqi said Aafia did not want to fight her case in American court, but the Pakistani envoy took it to the court.
“Now it is the responsibility of Hussain Haqqani to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels,” she said.
“We would not have seen this day, had the government taken up the matter of Dr. Aafia through diplomatic channels,” added Siddiqi.
Students protest Aafia’s conviction
ISLAMABAD: The students of different colleges of the federal capital staged a protest rally on Saturday at Aabpara Chock against the conviction of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddique by the American jury.
The protesters were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the government and in favor of Afia. They said the government was not taking serious steps for her release from the US prison.
Addressing the protesters, the student leaders said misbehaviour of United States, ‘so-called’ champion of human rights and the silence of European leaders over the issue showed their enmity with Muslims.
Behind the conviction of Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui
By: Anne Gamboni
U.S. government, military–the real terrorists
One of the vile byproducts of the “global war on terror,” now in its ninth year, has been the “commodification” of intelligence gathering. Information is needed, President Obama stated in a major policy speech in May 2009, not just to prosecute those who commit attacks but to prevent attacks before they happen. Such a war on terror has no physical boundaries and the demand for information no limits. A system of secret and known prisons and spy agencies like the CIA and its lackeys around the globe are needed to run this dirty business.
Govt not to tolerate torture of Dr Aafia
LAHORE : FEDERAL Minister for Human Rights Syed Mumtaz Ali Gilani has said that the government will not tolerate any kind of torture of Dr Afia Siddiqui by the American authorities and it is making all-out efforts to bring her back in the country.
Addressing to a seminar on the subject “Human rights violation of Dr Afia Siddiqui, Kashmiris and minorities” organised by the Lahore High Court Bar Association, he said the government was well aware of Dr Aafia’s condition and it was pursuing her case diligently. He made it clear that Pakistan would not flinch an inch from its stand on the Kashmir issue and wanted serious talks with India on Kashmir and water. The minister also announced a grant of Rs 5 million for the Bar. LHCBA President Nasira Iqbal said seeking justice was the fundamental right of every citizen but the goal of speedy dispensation of justice could not be achieved unless the judges’ vacant seats were filled. She pointed out that 40 seats of judges were lying vacant in the LHC for more than two months and the LHC CJ had sent a summary of judges’ appointment but the government had not approved it so far. She urged the government to fill judges’ seat at once to lessen people’s miseries.
