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IJN RELEASES NEW EVIDENCE IN CASE OF DR AAFIA SIDDIQUI – CALLS FOR REPATRIATION
Early Monday morning, International Justice Network published a report regarding the highly controversial case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. Representing the Siddiqui Family in the United States, IJN has spent the past 14 months researching the circumstances surrounding the unusual arrest and custody of the Pakistani mother of three. Supported with previously unreleased evidence, IJN has uncovered direct involvement by Pakistan agencies in the disappearance of Dr. Aafia and her three young children in March 2003 — five years before the US government claims she was first arrested in Afghanistan in July 2008.
The report, Aafia Siddiqui: Just the Facts, reveals shocking new evidence that contradicts official statements from governments of both Pakistan and the United States that Dr. Siddiqui was not detained in their custody prior to her arrest in 2008. IJN has obtained a secret audio recording of a senior Pakistani police official who admits he was personally involved in the arrest of Dr. Siddiqui and her children eight years ago.
British journalist backs Aafia case
KARACHI: A press conference arranged by “The Free Aafia Campaign” was held at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday.
On the occasion, British journalist Maryam Yvonne Ridley criticised the American and European media and said they had done nothing to provide justice to Dr Aafia.
“Pakistanis will have to start demonstrations to stimulate their political leaders to do something for bringing Aafia and her children back home,” she said.
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.
Govt targeted for mishandling Aafia case
ISLAMABAD – Terming the repatriation of Dr Aafia a common cause, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Malik Amad Thursday assured the National Assembly that the government would fully defend her till the final hearing.
Winding up the discussion on Dr. Aafia’s conviction, he said that the evidence against her was very weak as both the witnesses gave contradicting statements. However, the lawyers had advised her not to give statement.
He welcomed the suggestion of Faisal Saleh Hayat for constituting a parliamentary delegation to US to pursue Obama and Hillary for the release of Dr Aafia.
Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Faisal said that he was the only one who asked Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for Aafia’s release if US wanted to improve its image in Pakistan.
Govt handling of Aafia case criticised in NA
ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday reassured the National Assembly that it would put up a strong defence of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and make every possible effort to secure her release, as both treasury and the opposition benches criticised it for weak defence. They described the US court’s verdict against Dr Aafia as “miscarriage of justice”.
The National Assembly debated the issue on an adjournment motion, demanding action against those who handed her over to the United States and spending $2 million on a weak legal team that failed to defend her.
PML-Q parliamentary leader Makhdoom Faisal Salah Hayat proposed creation of a parliamentary caucus for interaction with the US Congress and the Obama administration for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. The government agreed but remained non-committal.
Pak Embassy did not pursue Aafia’s case properly
ISLAMABAD – The Government’s lack of interest, despite its tall claims for early release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, can be judged from the fact that no one from Pakistan’s Embassy attended Dr Aafia’s hearing in the New York court that convicted her of late, in spite of the fact that all allegations levelled against her were proven wrong, TheNation learnt reliably.
According to eyewitnesses, it was awful to see that during the entire course of trial, not a single official from Pakistani Embassy was present in the court on part of the Government of Pakistan to observe proceedings.
Dr Fouzia, sister of Dr Aafia, when contacted, told TheNation that the US Ambassador Hussain Haqqani had not presented true picture of Dr Aafia’s case to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. She said it was so surprising for her family when they came to know that diplomatic seat in the courtroom was vacant.
Pakistan to pursue Aafia case afresh
ISLAMABAD – After directions of President Asif Ali Zardari and growing criticism of the masses, the Foreign Office is said to have evolved a new strategy to pursue Dr. Aafia’s case again, it is learnt reliably.
As part of the new strategy, the authorities have decided to hire another law firm to defend Afia Siddiqui while President Zardari has already assured of his support including financial aid enough to meet expenses of, once again, Afia’s case.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Government has already spent one million US dollar from taxpayer’s money to hire three lawyers who completely failed to defend Afia. Interestingly, these legal experts were picked by the Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Hussein Haqqani, who, according to many in the country, also failed to get support from Obama administration in the case.
UK lawyers demand withdrawal of Aafia’s case
The UK-based Association of Pakistan Lawyers (APL) has demanded withdrawal of case against Dr Aafia Siddiqui declaring the conviction unsafe and has called for a public enquiry regarding her treatment. The APL, according to its chair barrister Amjad Malik following its executive committee meeting, has despatched letters to the US leadership calling for Dr.Siddiqui’s immediate repatriation to Pakistan.
The meeting proposed withdrawing of case against the neuroscientist by the US Government, Presidential pardon considering the state of mind and allegations of her torture and maltreatment, conviction based on fear and not on fact, her unlawful presence at Bagram airbase, her missing two children, and lastly the US Government must consider setting up a commission to adjudicate the questions of true facts surrounding Dr. Siddiqui’s arrest, and her whereabouts between 2003 and 2008.
Dr Aafia case: Pakistan dismayed at verdict
ISLAMABAD : Expressing dismay over the unexpected verdict in Dr Aafia Siddiqui case in the US, Pakistan has said that it would determine its future course of action by consulting her family members and lawyers. At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.
“We are dismayed over the unexpected verdict in Dr Aafia case. The government of Pakistan made extensive diplomatic and legal efforts on her behalf and would continue these efforts in future.” The President, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister had taken up the issue at different levels of the US Administration for her release on compassionate grounds. Under the directions of the Prime Minister Dr Aafia was also extended all legal support through embassy in Washington, he said.
The government of Pakistan, he said would consult the family of Dr Aafia and the team of defence lawyers to determine the future course of action and the government would do all that is needed to provide justice to Dr Aafia.
