Islamabad – On Wednesday the Islamabad High Court (IHC) asked the Foreign Ministry to take up Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release case with the United States ambassador to Pakistan. A petition filed for the release and repatriation of Dr Siddiqui was heard by IHC Judge, Justice Sardar Aijaz Ishaq Khan.
Dr Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States. The petition for her release and repatriation was filed back in 2015. After being shelved, the IHC has decided to take the matter up, said Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, Neurologist and sister of Dr Siddiqui.
“After a couple of hearings it was just put on the shelf and there was no one hearing it. Then the Islamabad High Court last year, early this year brought the case out again. Now the hearing has taken a positive turn. The court has demanded proof of what the Pakistani government has done for Aafia. They claim that they have asked and demanded for Aafia and have done everything possible. Yet, they have failed to show any proof of any action whatsoever.”
The judge has asked for proof of correspondence between the Pakistani government and US. He has also asked the Foreign Office (FO) to talk to the American ambassador. The court wants to know what the ambassador has to say about Dr Siddiqui’s status, her well-being and a response to the government wanting her home, added Siddiqui.
The work done for Siddiqui
There have been many prime ministers and ambassadors who have come and gone while Siddiqui has been kept incarcerated. Yet, every time their promises to get Siddiqui released has not come to fruition. The lack of action from the FO is of concern. Should the court orders be obeyed, it will be revealed just how much the Pakistani government has done to get Siddiqui released.
“Hopefully, if they comply with the court orders, we will know America’s stance on the situation and the Pakistani’s government stance and what has been done and what hasn’t been done. Maybe they haven’t done anything substantial in the situation but hopefully this motion will move things forward in a positive direction.”
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The Foreign Ministry complying with the court
The Foreign Ministry stated they haven’t received a satisfactory response from the United States or even a response back from them on the situation. They have put the blame of inaction on the United States. However, Siddiqui does not believe this statement from the Foreign Ministry.
“If I or you or anyone has to send a letter to any department in the US or anywhere in this day and age, you immediately get an automated response that says we have received your response and will get back to you. Now people have these automated responses. How can they say that they have not even received a receipt? … I think the court has seen and understand the Foreign Office has not really done anything substantial. This is why they have requested the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and the Minister to find every request that they sent.”
The IHC are in a position to force the FO to release all requests and responses. They want to do that but that requires Siddiqui and her team to provide reasons why the IHC should force the Foreign Office to release such information.
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Taking the case to the US ambassador to Pakistan
The IHC has issued a directive to the FO to take Siddiqui’s case directly to the US ambassador to Pakistan. This is an important and vital step which relies on diplomatic ties. Given the previous track record, Siddiqui doesn’t have high hopes but still has faith things can turn out well.
“If we look at the track record of the past 20 years, I wouldn’t put my hopes very high. But things change, times change and people change. Hopefully if Allah (SWT) wills, this could be a very positive outcome.”
In the interim the Aafia movement in Pakistan will continue. The court order has given the organisation and Siddiqui a boost. There is a sense of renewed hope and that there will be a substantial move forward. Siddiqui has hopes this new development will bring the case to the right person who will be able to exonerate Aafia.
