Prisoner exchange agreement with Pakistan also denied
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Thursday that former US President Joe Biden rejected Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s clemency plea.
During the hearing of a petition filed by her sister, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, seeking Dr. Aafia’s repatriation, petitioner’s counsel Imran Shafiq revealed that the US had refused a prisoner exchange agreement with Pakistan.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the session, with Dr. Fauzia and her US attorney Clive Smith joining via video link. The additional attorney general (AAG) was also present.
The court was briefed about a report submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which included details of the prime minister and foreign minister’s international visits. However, it was noted that Pakistan’s ambassador in the US had not participated in meetings regarding Dr. Aafia’s case.
Expressing disappointment, Justice Ejaz remarked, “The US is showing us our worth.” He criticized the US administration, pointing out that while ex-President Biden pardoned his own son’s sentence, no compassion was extended to a Pakistani citizen.
The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.
It is worth mentioning that Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in 2010 on charges of attempting to murder US personnel in Afghanistan. She is currently incarcerated in a high-security prison in Fort Worth, Texas.
In October 2024, the federal government informed the IHC that a delegation was being sent to the US for Dr. Aafia’s release. This delegation met with her and reported the hardships she faced during incarceration. Efforts to secure her release, including appeals for humanitarian grounds, have yet to succeed.
