It was revealed on Friday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has requested that US President Joe Biden grant Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani, a pardon and release from prison. Siddiqui was given an 86-year sentence for allegedly attacking US personnel in Afghanistan.
The PM expressed his concerns regarding Dr. Siddiqui’s “fragile mental and frail physical health” while in prison in a letter dated October 13 that Dawn.com has seen. She is now 52 years old and has spent 16 years in prison in the United States.
The letter states, “Numerous Pakistani officials have paid consular visits to Dr. Siddiqui… all of them have raised their serious concerns about the treatment she has received.” In fact, they worry that she might kill herself.
The prime minister appealed to Biden to play the same role as a head of state, writing that it is his “solemn duty” to ensure the well-being of his citizens. The Prime Minister wrote, “I am well aware of the ferocity with which you have fought for the rights of your citizens, particularly those who are stranded or held captive abroad.”
“You would, therefore, fully understand that it is my solemn duty, as prime minister, to intervene when absolutely necessary to ensure the wellbeing of a citizen, especially when the circumstances are as dire as they are in this case.”
By writing, “I have always known you to be a committed friend of Pakistan who has demonstrated warmth and genuine friendship for our people,” PM Shehbaz urged Biden to release Dr. Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds.
“I ask you, Mr. President, to kindly exercise your constitutional authority and grant Dr. Siddiqui’s request for clemency and order her release strictly on humanitarian grounds.”
When Dr. Siddiqui was taken into custody by US forces in Afghanistan in 2008, they began questioning her. According to US court papers, she was allegedly carrying two kilograms of sodium cyanide hidden in moisturizing bottles.
She allegedly screamed “Death to America” and “I want to kill Americans” as she opened fire on US agents during her interrogation, according to witnesses. She was hurt, but the soldiers were unharmed.
She was convicted of firing at US troops in Afghanistan while they were in their custody and six other charges brought against her. In 2010, she was given a sentence of 86 years in prison by a federal court in Manhattan, New York.
A US judge gave Dr. Siddiqui’s legal team access to new, private evidence on October 9 that could help bolster a clemency request.
One of the lawyers actively working for Dr. Siddiqui’s release, Clive Stafford Smith, submitted a 56,600-word clemency petition to highlight her case’s complexities and injustices.
