Latest news with #Aafia
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Aafia Siddiqui is Pakistan's daughter, govt's priority, says FM Ishaq Dar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday stated there should be no misconception Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who's imprisoned in US, is Pakistan's daughter and a priority for the government. Addressing the Pakistani community in New York, Dar said that efforts to resolve Aafia's case will continue until a solution is found. He said this in response to the social media reaction on his earlier statement regarding the incarcerated Pakistani neuroscientist. Addressing an event in Washington on Friday, responding to a query about imprisonment of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Dar had made comparison between incarceration of Imran and Aafia. He had said if 'due process of the law has resulted in that action [arrest of Aafia],' then the same applies to Imran. 'There's no exception.' 'Legal due process has no exceptions', Dar compares Aafia, Imran's arrests Here in New York when Dar clarified that he was asked about Imran, upon which, he said when the government raises the issue of Aafia's release with the US, it is told that the legal process does not allow for it. He said he just tried to make his point on the PTI founder's arrest as there is also a legal process in Imran's case. Dismissing the criticism he received, he said that the entire world is appreciating Pakistan's activities in the United States, yet opponents have begun criticising, following which, he said, he had to clarify. He also said, 'If someone doesn't understand English, what is my fault?' After receiving the backlash, in a statement a day ago, FM Dar had said his comments in the US about the case of Dr Aafia were being 'taken out of context'. 'Our government's stance on the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release is clear and unequivocal,' he had said in a post on X. The deputy prime minister further stated that the government had also written a letter to former US president Joe Biden on the issue of Aafia, and even sought clemency for her from Biden before he left the office. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also met her sister two days ago to assure full support, he said, adding that Pakistan has made every effort to secure the release of Aafia Siddiqui. Dar said that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government has always supported the release of Aafia, providing all diplomatic and judicial support for her release. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif also spoke to former US president Barack Obama in this regard, he said, adding that the government made immense efforts to secure Aafia's release in 2015, 2016 and 2017 and it continued to do so.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
‘Legal due process has no exceptions', Dar compares Aafia, Imran's arrests
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has made comparison between incarceration of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Aafia Siddiqui to underscore his point about legal accountability. 'I think we should not politicise anything,' Dar stated, speaking at an event organised by the American think tank, Atlantic Council, in Washington on Friday. 'For example, Aafia Siddiqui is here (in the US) for decades and going to be (here) God knows till when,' he said, adding it would be unfair to hamper the legal process. If the 'due process of the law has resulted in that action, the same applies to everybody, so there's no exception,' he maintained, drawing parallel between arrest of Imran and Aafia. The deputy PM's statement kind of deviates from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's assurance that he gave to Aafia's sister, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, a day ago. PM Shehbaz on Friday met with Dr Fowzia and assured that the government would continue to provide all possible legal and diplomatic support in the matter of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. 'The government is in no way negligent regarding the case of Dr Aafia,' the prime minister said. The meeting had taken place days after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued contempt notices to the prime minister and the federal cabinet in a petition filed by Dr Fowzia, seeking the repatriation, health status, and release of her sister, Dr Aafia, who is imprisoned in the United States of America. Fowzia has consistently maintained that the US court's conviction of Aafia for alleged attempt to murder US military personnel in Afghanistan, for which she is serving an 86-year jail sentence, is unfair. Govt in no way negligent about Dr Aafia, says PM Shehbaz In response to a query regarding the government's crackdown on the former prime minister and his party, the foreign minister shed light on the May 9 events in Pakistan, which saw attacks on military installations. He said that even he, who played the role of a 'reconciliator' between the PTI and government, could not intervene in such a situation. Recalling his role in resolving the 2014 sit-in in Islamabad by Imran Khan's party, which he said 'hampered the economic growth and caused a lot of loss,' for 126 days, Dar noted that he had played his party in what he called a 'political ceasefire.' However, he distinguished this from the violent events of May 9. 'You see, when you pick up arms and you do things that happened on May 9, unfortunately a man like me even cannot do anything,' Dar said. He emphasised that the 'due process of the law has to take place, which is a progress.' Dar concluded his statement, saying, 'If you are a popular political leader, it doesn't give you license to pick arms to provoke public to go and attack the military installations of the country.'
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PM reaffirms continued govt support for Dr Aafia's family
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday assured the family of Dr Aafia Siddiqui that the government remains fully committed to providing all possible legal and diplomatic support in her case. The prime minister conveyed this during a meeting with Dr Fouzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr Aafia, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday. The statement emphasised that the government is in no way negligent regarding the matter. It further highlighted that, under the prime minister's instructions, diplomatic and legal assistance has already been extended. In addition, the premier had written to then US president Joe Biden to seek intervention in the case. A committee headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar was also formed to ensure further progress. 'The committee will remain in close contact with Dr Fouzia and will work to provide the necessary assistance,' the statement added. Also Read: Pakistan calls on tech firms to curb terror content Dr Aafia, a Pakistani neuroscientist currently incarcerated in the United States, was sentenced to 86 years in prison on charges of attempted murder — a sentence significantly exceeding the US legal maximum of 10 years for the crime. She has served 16 years behind bars and has been separated from her children for more than two decades. Dr Aafia was reportedly intercepted in Karachi in March 2003 while travelling with her three children and subsequently disappeared for five years. It was later revealed in 2008 that she had been imprisoned in Afghanistan before being transferred to the United States. While two of her children, Ahmed and Maryam, were released in 2008 and 2010 respectively, the whereabouts of her son Sulaiman remain unknown.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Dr Aafia case plea: IHC's order allowing petitioner to amend prayers challenged by govt
ISLAMABAD: The federal government challenged the Islamabad High Court (IHC)'s order dated 16-05-25 allowing Dr Aafia Siddiqui's sister to amend prayers in her writ petition, filed in 2015. The Federation, on Tuesday, filed an application through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), submitting that Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr Aafia, filed the writ petition 3139/2015 expressing her concerns for Dr Aafia's life, safety, and physical and mental well-being. It was prayed that the direction to the respondents to provide regular updates, including weekly reports, and confirm through independent verification the current physical and mental well-being of DrAafia. Direct the respondents to provide full cooperation and assistance to the petitioner (DrFowzia) and her family, enabling them to visit and meet DrAafia in the jail in the United States. Direct the constitution of a competent, independent medical team to examine Dr Aafia's physical and mental health, in collaboration with the petitioner. Direct the prime minister of Pakistan to raise the issue of Dr Aafia with the president of the United States during the former's official visit to the United States. The MoFA contended that it filed a CM No811/2025 for disposing of main WP 3195/2015 on account of being fructified. However, the respondent (Dr Fowzia) filed CM 921/2025 to amend the prayer of WP-3139/2015 for further proceeding being not satisfied. The IHC judge, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, passed an order dated 16-05-2025 wherein accepted the amended CM and dismissed the petitioner's CM. Hence, instant CPLA. The Federation submitted that the single bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has erred in law by exercising suomoto powers. The single judge has not only travelled outside the pleadings, but also has gone beyond the jurisdictional domain of the Court by passing such directions. It is submitted that the IHC, in allowing the amendment, failed to adhere to the express bar contained in Article 199(1)(a) of the Constitution, which restricts the Court from making any order, direction, or declaration beyond the scope of the application filed under clause (1). Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
IHC asks Pakistan govt to submit reasons for not becoming party to Dr Aafia's case
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked the federal government to submit the reasons for not becoming a party or provide legal assistance in Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case in a US court. A single bench of Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan on Monday heard the constitutional petition of Dr Fowzia Siddiqui regarding the release of her sister Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently imprisoned in a US jail. The petitioner's lawyer Imran Shafiq, additional attorney general, and other officials were present in the court. At the outset of the hearing, the additional attorney general apprised the IHC that the government had decided not to become a party in the Dr Aafia case in the United States. At this, the judge questioned the reason behind the decision saying that on what grounds was this decision made? To this, the additional attorney general, however, failed to give a response, saying the government has so far taken this decision. Justice Ishaq remarked that this is a constitutional court and decisions must be accompanied by reasons. He added that a government or the attorney general cannot simply submit a stance without justification. He made it clear that this is a constitutional court, and decisions without justification are not acceptable here. The IHC ordered the additional attorney general to provide rationale for the decision on the next hearing. Later, the bench deferred hearing of the case till July 4. The bench on May 16, 25 had observed that the Aafia case has already become a movement and it is a long struggle. Justice Ishaq added that the problem could not be resolved by just ending this case. The court further observed that the government has taken all the steps regarding Dr Aafia only because of this case. The judge said the US visa was granted to Dr Fowzia Siddiqui because of the directions of this court, and also the prime minister wrote a letter for Dr Aafia. He continued that due to the instructions of this court a meeting took place between Dr Aafia Siddiqui and Dr Fowzia Siddiqui and a Pakistani delegation also visited the US and met Dr Aafia Siddiqui. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
