The federal government has decided to submit a clemency appeal for the release of Pakistani citizen Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently imprisoned in the United States, on humanitarian grounds. This issue is expected to be raised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his upcoming visit to the United Nations.
The Islamabad High Court, presided over by Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan, issued a written order on Saturday following a hearing on a petition filed by Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, Aafia’s sister, seeking her release.
The court’s order revealed that Pakistan’s Attorney General assured the court that the government has no objection to supporting the clemency appeal. “The government has no reason not to stand with the clemency appeal prepared by Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui’s legal team,” the Attorney General stated.
Furthermore, the court noted that the government will submit a separate clemency petition, and discussions on this matter will take place with US officials during the prime minister’s UN visit. In addition, progress is being made on a prisoner exchange agreement with the US, with a three-week period requested for further developments.
