The government has decided to file a separate petition in the United States for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is imprisoned in the U.S., on humanitarian grounds. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also raise this issue with U.S. officials during his visit to the United Nations.
Islamabad High Court Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan has issued a written order on Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui’s petition for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
In its written order, the court stated that the Attorney General of Pakistan appeared before the court and assured that the federal government has no objection to appealing for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds.
According to the order, the Attorney General informed the court that the government has no reason not to support the appeal for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release on compassionate grounds, prepared by Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui’s lawyer.
The court further stated that, according to the Attorney General, the government will file a separate clemency petition for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. Additionally, the U.S. government will be approached during the United Nations meeting.
The order also mentioned that, according to the Additional Attorney General, significant work is being done on a prisoner exchange agreement with the U.S., and three weeks are required to finalize this agreement.
The court has directed that the case be scheduled for another hearing on October 18, 2024.
