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British Parliamentarians for public inquiry into Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s conviction
Describing the conviction of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr.Aafia Siddiqui as “miscarriage of justice”, British Parliamentarians have called for withdrawal of case against her and repatriation to Pakistan. At a function organised at the House of Lords on Tuesday evening to raise support for the incarcerated Dr. Siddiqui, Lord Nazir Ahmed together with other speakers said her trial in New York was full of flaws and not based on facts.
They sought the intervention of the US leadership and demanded a fair trial based on real facts and not assumptions. Lord Ahmed said he would be writing a letter to the US President Barack Obama carrying signatures of other British MPs calling for Dr.Siddiqui’s repatriation to Pakistan and withdrawal of case.
The Labour Peer further said he would also raise this question in the Parliament to ascertain how the British Government could help in this regard.
APL to support Lord Ahmed for Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s fair trial
LONDON : The UK-based Association of Pakistani origin Lawyers (APL) has announced its complete support to the campaign initiated by British parliamentarian Lord Nazir Ahmed to seek a fair trial of Dr.Aafia Siddiqui. APL Chair Barrister Amjad Malik, said Tuesday that western media has blacked out Dr.Siddiqui’s conviction and reactions including reservations on trial which shows that it is always ready to rub under the carpet some of the worst human rights abuses when it comes to their national interest.
He confirmed that APL appreciates Lord Ahmed’s stance on Dr. Siddiqui’s case and that the Association will support any drive Lord Ahmed initiates to campaign, and seek fair trial for Dr. Siddiqui.
He said it is strange that neuroscientist was first labelled as No.7 on the wanted list of Al-Qaeda and later was charged and tried for minor criminal offences and she never had the opportunity to wipe the stigma attached to her name being associated with the outfit which in itself is a criminal offence.
PM orders Pakistani consulate in US to do more for release of Dr. Aafia
KARACHI: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has directed Pakistani consulate in United States of America to do more for release of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
”Government is mobilizing all resources for release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and direction to Pakistani consulate in US and legal team have also been issued”, he said this while talking to Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui and Asmat Siddiqui, mother of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui here at Governor House, sources informed Online.
During the meeting, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistani and central leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Farooq Sattar was also present.
Plea for Dr Aafia’s repatriation
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday disposed of a petition seeking directions to the federal government to take steps for the repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddqiui after being convicted by an American court.
Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry directed the Foreign Ministry to have consultation with the Law Ministry on suggestions made by petitioner-lawyer Barrister Iqbal Jafree and take steps, if viable, to bring her back to Pakistan.
The court had already disposed of Jafree’s different petitions seeking Dr Aafia’s repatriation by knowing the door of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Previously, the court had ordered the foreign ministry to collect evidence from Dr Aafia counsel about her arrest from Karachi and send them to her lawyers in the USA where she was facing a trial at that time.
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.
APL slams Dr.Aafia Siddiqui’s conviction
LONDON : The UK-based Association of Pakistan Lawyers (APL) has flayed the conviction of Dr.Aafia Siddiqui by a New York court and said the neuro-scientist needs justice which is seen to be done.
Chairman, APL, Barrister Amjad Malik in a statement expressed apprehension that her conviction will affect relations between the two countries as well as people-to-people contact.
“USA is already making efforts to bridge the gap between the people of Pakistan and US Administration and Dr. Aafia’s conviction will wipe out all efforts and this decision seems to have dictated through fears than the facts and law,” he said.
Zardari directs government for legal support for Dr. Aafia
ISLAMABAD: Voicing concerns over the verdict of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case, the President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the federal government for extension of legal support to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, charged with attempt to murder of US troops in Afghanistan, Geo news reported.
In a statement issued from presidency, President Zardari has issued directives to concerned institutions of federal government to make contacts with the family of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and provide them with every possible legal and judicial cooperation.
Charges against Dr Aafia biased
By Masood Rehman
ISLAMABAD: Legal experts on Thursday termed as biased and partial the opinion of a New York jury that found Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, guilty of attempted murder charges on all seven counts listed in the complaint against her. She was tried on the charges of trying to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan on July 28, 2008. However, the jury did not find her guilty on any premeditated murder charge. According to her lawyer, Siddiqui could be given a sentence of up to 35 years. Commenting on the jury’s opinion, noted lawyer Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry said it was a case of no evidence and Aafia could not be charged and sentenced. Condemning the jury’s opinion, he regretted that an innocent citizen of Pakistan was being sentenced for something she did not do.
He said the jury’s opinion indicates that its members are biased against Pakistanis. He said the decision was a slap on the US’ so called independent and impartial judicial system.
Pakistan to seek Dr Aafia’s return
* Foreign Office expresses dismay over ‘unexpected verdict’ in detained neuroscientist’s case
* Says ultimate objective is repatriation of Dr Aafia
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take all steps to secure the release and return home of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who stands convicted by a US court for shooting at her US interrogators in Afghanistan, according to the Foreign Office on Thursday.
Aafia, 37, was convicted in a New York court on Wednesday for grabbing a US officer’s rifle while she was being questioned in 2008 in Afghanistan and firing at FBI agents and military personnel as she was wrestled to the ground. The jury gave a unanimous verdict on seven counts, including attempted murder and assault. Though guilty on two attempted murder counts, the jury said the crime was not premeditated. Aafia is a US-trained neuroscientist who spent years living in the US.
LHCBA condemns US court verdict against Dr Aafia
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) general house on Thursday condemned the US jury verdict against Dr Aafia Siddiqui, terming it a brutal act by the country that claims to champion human rights. The bar also criticised the government of Pakistan for failing to protect its “innocent citizen”.
LHCBA adopted a resolution demanding Dr Aafia and her two children be released immediately as all allegations against her were baseless and she was a victim of American prejudice against Muslims.
