Pakistani Delegation Seeks Dr. Aafia Siddiqui's Release from US Jail

A Pakistani delegation, consisting of Members of Parliament and a psychiatrist, has met Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving an 86-year sentence in a US high-security prison in Texas, and appealed for her release before January 2025. The visit, part of Pakistan's efforts to secure her release on humanitarian grounds, comes as the US Congress weighs a request for clemency from Dr. Siddiqui.

The delegation, led by Senator Bushra Anjum, met with Dr. Siddiqui at the Karman Federal Correctional Institution in Texas, discussing her challenges in prison and expressing hope for justice. The delegation also held meetings with US Congress members and State Department representatives, urging them to reconsider Dr. Siddiqui's case and release her before the end of President Joe Biden's term in January 2025. Dr. Siddiqui's sister, Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, is also waging a parallel effort, seeking the return of her passport, which has been held by the US authorities since her brother's detention in 2008.

The Pakistan government has repeatedly called on the US authorities to review Dr. Siddiqui's case, citing her "fragile mental and frail physical health" as a reason for clemency. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written to President Biden requesting his intervention in the matter. Dr. Siddiqui has spent over 10 years in custody, much of it in solitary confinement, and has filed a lawsuit against the US government and prison officials, alleging abuse and mistreatment. Her case has garnered significant attention in Pakistan, with many advocating for her release on humanitarian grounds.

The upcoming decision on Dr. Siddiqui's case is expected in the coming weeks, with the US government considering the clemency request and reviewing the merits of her case. The Pakistani delegation's visit and appeal are part of a sustained effort to secure her release, and the outcome will have implications for Dr. Siddiqui's family and supporters, who are anxiously awaiting a decision on her fate.

The case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has sparked intense debate and controversy over the years, with many in Pakistan viewing her as a victim of US aggression and unfair detention. The question of her release before the end of President Biden's term in January 2025, as sought by the Pakistani delegation, remains uncertain, but her case continues to command attention and advocacy from across Pakistan and beyond.