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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Legal basis for Aafia, Afridi swap under consideration: FO</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/581834/legal-basis-for-aafia-afridi-swap-under-consideration-fo</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/581834/legal-basis-for-aafia-afridi-swap-under-consideration-fo#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 13 16:38:17 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Foreign Office spokesperson says Pakistan to persevere with its approach on Afghanistan peace process.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Though no new approach has been made for a prisoner swap between the US and Pakistan involving Dr Aafia Siddiqui and Dr Shakil Afridi, the foreign office spokesperson hinted that the government was pondering over a legal route for the swap.

"Pakistan and the US do not have any bilateral prisoners’ exchange agreement. There are two regional arrangements which if joined could provide a basis for discussion on such issues. This particular aspect is under consideration in the Ministry Of Interior,” the foreign office spokesperson said during his weekly briefing. He also said that the Ministry of Interior could better answer about the arrangements under which prisoners were exchanged with the US.

Asked whether US secretary of state John Kerry would be arriving with an agenda to secure the release of Dr Afridi, the spokesperson dismissed it as speculative.

He also said that the visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry was very much on the cards, the dates for which were being worked out.

Pak-US relations

Asked whether Pakistan-US relations were currently 'strained', the spokesperson chose not to colour the relation in that term.

“It’s a multi-faceted relationship," he described, adding, "Our two countries have been collaborating in a number of areas of mutual benefit. Like in every relationship, there are points of convergence as well as divergence."

"I believe that Pakistan is engaged with the US on the basis of mutual respect and mutuality of benefit,” he said.

Relations with Afghanistan

The recent visit of Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was brought up, and the spokesperson said that the first high level exchange of visits between Afghanistan and Pakistan had resulted in the invitation for Karzai to visit Pakistan being extended.

“The two governments are engaged in preparing for the visit and working out mutually convenient dates."

He added that Pakistan hopes that the two countries "will work together on an agenda that leads us to lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region."

“We believe that close engagement between Pakistan and Afghan governments could help achieve the objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan."

Asked about conditions that Karzai had proposed for visiting Pakistan and the allegations that Pakistan had been sabotaging the peace process, the spokesperson said that Pakistan did not want to get into a blame game.

"Yes, there have been allegations from the Afghan side, but we exercised utmost restraint and we will continue to do that."

Instead, the spokesperson said that Pakistan remained positive.

"On Afghanistan, we have taken a positive and constructive approach. We believe that close engagement between Pakistan and Afghan governments could help achieve the objectives of peace and stability in Afghanistan.  We will persevere with our approach."

Relations with India

On asked about the government’s stance on the killing of Pakistanis in an Indian train blasts, he said that our region has been afflicted by the menace of terrorism, and "it is incumbent upon all countries (of the region) to cooperate in fighting terrorism."

“Pakistan believes that instead of leveling allegations, steps should be taken to promote cooperation in counter terrorism,” he said.

He said that Pakistan hopes that the meetings under Joint Anti Terrorism Mechanism, where such issues are referred, to resume. "We hope that the resumed dialogue process will start soon to enable us to take up these issues.”

Drone strikes

On asked about the question of US drone strikes in Pakistan, the spokesperson said that Pakistan’s position on drone strikes was very clear.

“This government has laid a high priority to expressing our position to the US government and the world at large that drone strikes are counter-productive, violate our national sovereignty, violate the international law and endanger the human rights. This position is being conveyed to the US Government at all appropriate levels, and will also be taken up at the forthcoming interaction with the US side,” he said.

He added that Pakistan's view has a solid legal basis. "We are aware that an international debate is also underway on the legitimacy and the effectiveness of the drone strikes. Pakistani leadership has made it clear that we will continue to project our perspective.”]]>
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			<title>Time to bring Aafia Siddiqui back</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/580929/time-to-bring-aafia-siddiqui-back</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/580929/time-to-bring-aafia-siddiqui-back#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jul 13 18:17:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Sameera Rashid]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=580929</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bringing Aafia back without being able to probe the facts of her case transparently is immoral. We deserve to know!]]>
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				<![CDATA[The US has shown willingness to transfer Aafia Siddiqui, serving her prison sentence in Texas, to Pakistan after the signing of a prisoner swap agreement. The US has proposed two conventions: the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and the Inter-American Convention on Serving Criminal Sentences Abroad, as a pattern for signing of the agreement. Both conventions provide that the sentence of the person accused shall be enforced in accordance with the laws and procedures of the receiving state and, as a result, the time period of the sentence could be reduced. The European Convention on the transfer of Sentenced Persons also states that “each party may grant pardon, amnesty or commutation of the sentence in accordance with its Constitution or other laws”.

The Pakistani state can commute Siddiqui’s sentence and grant her pardon, but it would not be able to open a judicial review to probe the circumstances that led to her imprisonment in the US. Siddiqui’s trial has spawned a caseload of conspiracy theories; she has been accused of everything from the purchasing of diamonds in Liberia to financing the al Qaeda war to the facilitation of al Qaeda operatives in the US. She has been varyingly called the ‘Mata Hari of al Qaeda’, ‘grey lady of Bagram’ and ‘daughter of the Pakistani nation’ by her opponents and supporters.

After her sentencing in 2010, mainstream political parties, like the PML-N and the PTI, along with many right-wing parties, protested and demanded her release. Siddiqui appeals to moderate Muslims — who are moderate in the sense that they believe in the validity of representative democracy and provision of modern secular education by the state. Her case also resonates with jihadists of different stripes, particularly the Taliban, who, albeit, are against constitutional democracy, secular education and fundamental human rights.

It is because an important constituent of discourse for both groups is anti-Americanism — an opposition to the alleged US neo-imperialism and its foreign policy agenda — that they view Siddiqui as an ‘intellectual’, speaking for Islam against the monolith of US foreign policy. Thus, she is a ‘prisoner of conscience’ for both groups. However, if we trace Siddiqui’s trajectory from the MIT campus to Kabul, it is riddled with internal inconsistencies, with the truth remaining hidden.

Should Pakistan sign a prisoner swap agreement with the US to transfer Siddiqui to Pakistan? Yes, she should be brought to Pakistan if the government can investigate her alleged link to suspected terrorists. Was Siddiqui facilitating al Qaeda operatives under the guise of charity work in Pakistan; where did she stay during her period of disappearance between 2003 and 2008; how did she end up in Ghazni; why was her daughter separated from her and what happened to her third child? Unless these questions are probed, the transfer of Siddiqui to Pakistan and commutation of her sentence would serve to whet the militant discourse by establishing that she had been wronged and was a ‘victim’. It is important to understand that the militant discourse thrives on the notion of victimhood. Muslims are portrayed as ‘victims’ of Jewish-American or European conspiracies.

In short, Siddiqui should be brought back to Pakistan if we can judge the facts of her case transparently. Only the search for truth can help us escape the jihadist narrative of  ‘victim’ and ‘perpetrator’, and place the issues plaguing Pakistan in a historical context, and drive us to find solutions for them.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2013.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Task force proposals: Dr Aafia Siddiqui can be repatriated, says official</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/580129/task-force-proposals-dr-aafia-siddiqui-can-be-repatriated-says-official</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/580129/task-force-proposals-dr-aafia-siddiqui-can-be-repatriated-says-official#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jul 13 04:53:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=580129</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Government has agreed to sign both treaties for which the prime minister’s approval is awaited: Interior ministry]]>
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				<![CDATA[The task force on the repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national convicted and jailed in the United States on terrorism charges, has recommended that she be brought back to Pakistan through conventions on the transfer of sentenced persons.


For making her repatriation possible, Pakistani authorities would have to sign either of the two treaties allowing such an exchange, the task force formed by interior minister has recommended to the government. The treaties are Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Inter-American Convention on Serving Criminal Sentences Abroad.

“The government has agreed to sign both treaties for which the prime minister’s approval is awaited,” said an interior ministry official. The ministry official said the Foreign Office would initiate the process of signing the treaties with the US after approval from the prime minister. “It would not take too long once the government decides”.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2013.]]>
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			<title>US conditions for release of Dr Aafia unacceptable: PTI</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/579962/uss-conditions-for-release-of-aafia-unacceptable-shireen-mazari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/579962/uss-conditions-for-release-of-aafia-unacceptable-shireen-mazari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jul 13 14:18:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[PTI says US trial and conviction of Aafia Siddiqui was highly biased.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed concern on Sunday over the US government's prisoner swap agreement with Pakistan, which called for a release of Shakil Afridi in exchange for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Afridi helped the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hunt down Osama Bin Laden after which he was sentenced to 33 years in prison last year in May for his links to a banned militant group.

Aafia was sentenced to 86 years on September 23, 2010 after she was found guilty on seven counts, including attempted murder. She is currently being held at an American maximum security prison in Fort Worth, Texas. According to US prosecutors, the day after her arrest, she grabbed an M-4 rifle in her interrogation room and started shooting while yelling “death to America.”

The PTI press release said that there are "serious issues" with accepting the conditions laid down by the US for the release of Aafia.

The US government's conditions to release Aafia dictates that Pakistan accept that she is a terrorist and should complete the remainder of her life sentence in Pakistan.

Moreover, the conditions state that Pakistan should accept that her trial in the US was fair and justified.

The PTI statement said that these conditions were unacceptable and hoped that the government would not accept any conditions forcibly asked for by the US government. It pointed out that US is under strong congressional pressure to seek the release of Afridi, who is termed "a collaborator of illegal US activities in Pakistan".

The PTI added that if the prisoner swap agreement is to work it should not be based on any conditions.

"If the US insists on them, then there should a mutual agreement to label the swapped prisoners as 'terrorists' or 'traitors'".

Calling the US trial and conviction biased, the PTI release said that even though the people of Pakistan are eager for Aafia to return, they do not want to accept her as a terrorist simply at the behest of the US.

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[poll id="1180"]]]>
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			<title>US offers agreement for Dr Aafia's extradition: Report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/579908/us-offers-agreement-for-dr-aafias-extradition-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/579908/us-offers-agreement-for-dr-aafias-extradition-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jul 13 11:10:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=579908</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Under the agreement, Aafia to stay imprisoned in Pakistan for 86 years.]]>
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				<![CDATA[According to an Iranian TV, the US has offered Pakistan to sign a prisoner swap agreement for the extradition of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, Express News reported on Sunday.

The agreement states that Aafia will have to stay imprisoned in Pakistan for the number of years she was sentenced to in the US.

The news report claimed that the interior ministry has formed a task force to look into this offer.

Aafia was sentenced to 86 years on September 23, 2010 after she was found guilty on seven counts, including attempted murder. She is currently being held at an American maximum security prison in Fort Worth, Texas.

Aafia, whose conviction was widely criticised in Pakistan, was sentenced by US District Judge Richard Berman.

She was arrested in July 2008 by Afghan police, who said she was carrying 900 grams of sodium cyanide and crumpled notes referring to mass casualty attacks and New York landmarks.

According to US prosecutors, the day after her arrest, she grabbed an M-4 rifle in her interrogation room and started shooting while yelling “death to America.”

No US agents or soldiers were hit, but Siddiqui was shot and wounded in response, the US prosecutors had said.

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[poll id="1179"]]]>
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			<title>Afia Siddiqui vs Malala Yousufzai</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/579657/afia-siddiqui-vs-malala-yousufzai</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/579657/afia-siddiqui-vs-malala-yousufzai#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jul 13 17:33:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[noman.ansari]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=579657</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[We sympathise deeply with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, despite evidence against her, but hate a 16-year-old victim of terror?]]>
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				<![CDATA[Look at the case of Dr Afia Siddiqui, whom we support without asking any questions. Let’s ignore the forensic evidence against her, as well the bomb manufacturing documents found in her possession, because let’s admit it, in the age of Edward Snowden, nothing can be taken at face value.

Anesthesiologist Dr Amjad Mohammed Khan divorced Aafia because he found her to be violent, manipulative and on the path to terrorism.

Later, Dr Aafia is said to have married the nephew of alleged al Qaeda leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Ammar al Baluchi, a man supposedly involved in the 9/11 attacks.

Yet, whenever there is a rally organised for Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s release, we come out in droves to support her, buying into the sympathetic image our politicians feed us in order to earn votes. Admittedly, my favoured party’s leader, Imran Khan, has marketed Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s release for the PTI’s political gain. The irony is that while the Pakistani public doesn’t question the support offered to Dr Siddiqui, it levels all sorts of accusations at Malala Yousufzai. On the one hand, you have Dr Siddiqui, who hasn’t accomplished anything for the nation, and stands accused by her own ex-husband, while on the other, you have a young lady, who according to her own father, is using her fame to fight for the rights of young women worldwide.

At several points during Malala’s speech at the UN, on her sixteenth birthday, I found myself blinking away tears as Malala’s beautifully spoken words expressed defiance, compassion, sorrow and a great level of maturity. In 20 minutes, Malala helped distance the international image of both Islam and Pakistan from the radical elements.

Minutes after her historic speech, Pakistan’s social media platforms were full of comments accusing Malala of being a foreign agent who was using an orchestrated story. Disgustingly, several posts left on news links on Facebook were full of sexually explicit insults.

An immediately noticeable pattern amongst the written negativity against Malala was the atrocious wording of these diatribes, featuring the spelling and grammar skills of a child. Considering that Malala is fighting for education, it is more than a little ironic that her most vocal detractors, the Pakistani keyboard warriors, probably also need to go back to school.

Interestingly enough, Malala’s speech was almost completely ignored by the nation’s politicians, who were perhaps afraid of publicly praising such a contentious figure. But as to why the Pakistani public dislikes Malala Yousufzai, the answer may lie in the fact that the young girl, who is seemingly more confident, articulate, and literate than so many of us, sparks a level of jealousy, especially with the young and insecure male population. Her support from the mistrusted Western governments may create further animosity, satisfying the weak minds of those looking to rely on the crutch of a conspiracy theory, in order to comprehend an extraordinary story that their minds fail to accept.

There was a Pakistani lady similar to Malala, who was confident, intelligent, well spoken, had support from Western powers, and was also targeted by the Taliban. Yet, whenever Benazir Bhutto took to the streets, we followed in support. Perhaps, our love for Malala will also flow one day.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Council of Europe Convention: Pakistan to sign treaty on prisoner transfers with US</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/523537/council-of-europe-convention-pakistan-to-sign-treaty-on-prisoner-transfers-with-us</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/523537/council-of-europe-convention-pakistan-to-sign-treaty-on-prisoner-transfers-with-us#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 13 04:56:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=523537</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PM endorses move to sign convention to take up cases of prisoners, such as Dr Aafia Siddiqui.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The United States has called on Pakistan to sign a Council of Europe convention on the transfer of prisoners or convicts, Pakistani officials said on Tuesday. The recommendation came in response to a request for the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners languishing in US jails.


The Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, 1985, signed and ratified by 64 countries, allows foreigners convicted of a criminal offence to serve out their sentences in their home countries.

“We sought a No objection Certificate (NoC) from the Foreign Office for an agreement with the US on the transfer of prisoners,” said Additional Interior Secretary Saud Mirza.

The ministry wrote to the Foreign Office after the US showed its willingness to cooperate with Pakistan over the exchange of prisoners, he added.

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf also endorsed the foreign ministry’s suggestion for Pakistan to sign the Council of Europe Convention to take up the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqi, as well as other prisoners.

After seeking the interior ministry’s consent, the foreign office moved a summary to the prime minister earlier this year.

The issue of an agreement was formally taken up with Washington some four years back when the then interior minister Rehman Malik and US Attorney General Eric Holder met to discuss matters related to prisoners, including Dr Aafia, Mirza had informed a Senate panel while explaining the matter.

Pakistan is also considering signing the Inter-American Convention on Serving Criminal Sentences Abroad (2001) if legal hurdles do not come in the way, he added.

But some officials in the interior ministry think otherwise. “Even if Pakistan signs these conventions, it is not certain whether the transfer of prisoners between US and Pakistan will take place or not,” observed Section Officer Usman Ghani Khattak in his official letter dispatched to the director general (US) ministry of foreign affairs, Islamabad on January 3, 2013.

“We will gather information concerning the development on the proposed treaty on transfer of offenders or convicts between Washington and Islamabad,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

Matt Boland, acting spokesperson of the US Embassy in Islamabad, claimed to be unaware of the development and hence did not comment.

Pakistan is currently in negotiations over signing the transfer of offenders’ agreement with 22 countries. These are Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, USA, Yemen, Lebanon, Kuwait, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Indonesia and Ireland.

Islamabad is also trying to sign extradition agreements with 18 countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Prisoner swap: Algeria hostage takers demand Dr Aafia’s release</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496112/prisoner-swap-algeria-hostage-takers-demand-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-release</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/496112/prisoner-swap-algeria-hostage-takers-demand-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-release#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jan 13 05:44:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=496112</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Also want release of Egyptian Blind Sheikh, end to French intervention in Mali in return for American hostages.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Gunmen in Algeria want to swap American hostages they are holding for Pakistani Dr Aafia Siddiqui and Egyptian Omar Abdul Rahman known as the Blind Sheikh, who are jailed in the United States on charges of terrorist links.


The ANI news agency quoting sources close to Mohktar Belmokhtar as saying on Friday that the abductors, who are also holding other Algerian and foreign hostages, have also demanded negotiations for an end to French intervention in Mali.

Veteran Islamist fighter Belmokhtar, a one-eyed Algerian jihadi with al-Qaeda ties, has claimed responsibility for launching Wednesday’s attack.

ANI said Belmokhtar, in a video that would be distributed to the media, proposed that “France and Algeria negotiate an end to the war being waged by France in Azawad” (northern Mali).

He also proposed “exchanging American hostages held by his group (the ‘Signatories in Blood’)” for Egyptian Omar Abdul Rahman and Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, who are jailed in the United States on charges of terrorist links.

Abdul Rahman, the spiritual leader of the radical Jamaa Islamiya group, was convicted in 1995 for his role in a 1993 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City, in which six people were killed.

He is serving a life sentence for the attack in which hundreds more people were injured when a truck bomb was detonated in the building’s garage.

Abdul Rahman, known as the “blind sheikh,” was also convicted of plotting to bomb other New York targets including the United Nations and a plan to assassinate ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak’s successor, President Mohamed Morsi, said earlier this month he will urge US President Barack Obama to free Abdul Rahman, during a visit he is due to make to the United States later before the end of March.

US won’t negotiate with ‘terrorists’

The United States said Friday it would not strike deals with “terrorists” after gunmen who seized hostages at a remote gas field in Algeria proposed a swap for prisoners.

“The United States does not negotiate with terrorists,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters when asked about the proposal, declining further elaboration.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that hostages’ lives were in danger in the “extremely difficult” ongoing crisis in Algeria, urging maximum care to ensure their safety.

Clinton, who offered condolences over an unspecified number of deaths at the remote Saharan gas field, said that she spoke Friday with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal to press for the safety of US and other hostages.

“He made clear that their operation was still ongoing, that the situation remained fluid, that the hostages remain in danger in a number of instances,” said Clinton, speaking several hours after her telephone talks with Sellal.

“This is an extremely difficult and dangerous situation,” she told a joint news conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

“The United States extends our condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones in this brutal assault and we remain deeply concerned about those who remain in danger,” she said.

While stressing that the Islamist gunmen and not the Algerian authorities were to blame for the kidnappings, Clinton said: “Utmost care must be taken to preserve innocent life.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Algeria militants want Aafia Siddiqui released in proposed prisoner swap</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495810/algeria-militants-propose-prisoner-swap-including-aafia-siddiqui</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/495810/algeria-militants-propose-prisoner-swap-including-aafia-siddiqui#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jan 13 16:05:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=495810</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Militants want to exchange hostages for release of Egyptian militant &amp;amp; Aafia along with an end of offensives in Mali.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Gunmen in Algeria who are holding about 60 hostages at a gas plant, want to swap the American hostages for prisoners held in the United States including Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, the ANI news agency quoted sources close to their leader as saying on Friday.

The abductors, who are also holding other Algerian and foreign hostages, have also demanded negotiations for an end to French intervention in Mali, the agency said, quoting sources close to Mohktar Belmokhtar.

Veteran fighter Belmokhtar, a one-eyed Algerian militant apparently with ties to al Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for launching Wednesday's attack.

ANI said Belmokhtar, in a video that would be distributed to the media, proposed proposed that "France and Algeria negotiate an end to the war being waged by France in Azawad" (northern Mali).

He also proposed "exchanging American hostages held by his group (the 'Signatories in Blood')" for Egyptian Omar Abdul Rahman and Pakistani Aafia Siddiqui, who are jailed in the United States on charges of terrorist links.

Abdul Rahman, the spiritual leader of the radical Jamaa Islamiya group, was convicted in 1995 for his role in a 1993 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City, in which six people were killed.

He is serving a life sentence for the attack in which hundreds more people were injured when a truck bomb was detonated in the building's garage.

Abdul Rahman, known as the "blind sheikh," was also convicted of plotting to bomb other New York targets including the United Nations and a plan to assassinate ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

Mubarak's successor, Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, said earlier this month he will urge US President Barack Obama to free Abdul Rahman, during a visit he is due to make to the United States later before the end of March.

Siddiqui, a US-educated neuroscientist, is an al Qaeda-linked would-be extremist who tried to murder American officers on July 18, 2008, after she was detained by security services in Afghanistan.

The abductors are believed to have at least four American nationals in their custody.

There were over 710 people working on the plant when it came under attack from militants. However, action by Algerian special forces managed to free 650 of those including 573 Algerians and 100 of the 132 foreigners who work at the plant. The fate of the rest was unknown, but militants claim they still have hostages.]]>
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			<title>Aafia loses appeal on shooting conviction</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461950/aafia-loses-appeal-on-shooting-conviction</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461950/aafia-loses-appeal-on-shooting-conviction#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 12 06:03:18 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=461950</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Her attorney argues that the judge should not have let Aafia to testify in her defence.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A US appeals court has upheld the conviction and 86-year prison sentence of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui for shooting at FBI agents and soldiers after her arrest in Afghanistan.


The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said a lower court judge had not erred in allowing Siddiqui, 40, to testify in her own defence at the trial and in allowing certain evidence against her.

Siddiqui, whose conviction was widely criticised in Pakistan, was sentenced by US District Judge Richard Berman in September 2010. She was convicted by a New York federal jury of attempted murder, armed assault and other charges.

She was arrested in July 2008 by Afghan police, who said she was carrying 900 grams of sodium cyanide and crumpled notes referring to mass casualty attacks and New York landmarks.

The day after her arrest, she grabbed an M-4 rifle in her interrogation room and started shooting while yelling “death to America,” the trial jury heard.

No US agents or soldiers were hit, but Siddiqui was shot and wounded in response, according to US prosecutors.

Siddiqui’s defence lawyers, three of whom were paid by the Pakistan government, argued that their client had shot at the US officials in a panic and said the crime lacked any connection to terrorism.

On appeal, her attorneys challenged her conviction and sentence on many grounds. They said the judge improperly allowed jurors to consider the crumpled notes, and that the judge should never have allowed Siddiqui to decide whether to take the stand.

“The district court went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that Siddiqui understood the implications of testifying and had the capacity to testify,” the opinion said.

Dawn Cardi, an attorney for Siddiqui, was not immediately available to comment.

The appeals court also sided with Berman in finding that Siddiqui had likely premeditated the attack, and that terrorism sentencing requirements were applicable because of her willingness to harm Americans.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Aafia Siddiqui loses appeal on shooting conviction</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461596/aafia-siddiqui-loses-appeal-on-shooting-conviction</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461596/aafia-siddiqui-loses-appeal-on-shooting-conviction#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 12 08:22:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=461596</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Siddiqui’s defense lawyers argue she had shot at US officials in panic, say crime lacked any connection to...]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A US appeals court on Monday upheld the conviction and 86-year prison sentence of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui for shooting at FBI agents and soldiers after her arrest in Afghanistan.

The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said a lower court judge had not erred in allowing Siddiqui, 40, to testify in her own defense at trial and in allowing certain evidence against her.

Siddiqui, whose conviction was widely criticized in Pakistan, was sentenced by US District Judge Richard Berman in September 2010. She was convicted by a New York federal jury of attempted murder, armed assault and other charges.

She was arrested in July 2008 by Afghan police, who said she was carrying two pounds (900 grams) of sodium cyanide and crumpled notes referring to mass casualty attacks and New York landmarks.

The day after her arrest, she grabbed an M-4 rifle in her interrogation room and started shooting while yelling “death to America,” the trial jury heard.

No US agents or soldiers were hit, but Siddiqui was shot and wounded in response, according to US prosecutors.

Siddiqui’s defense lawyers, three of whom were paid by the Pakistani government, argued that their client had shot at the US officials in a panic and said the crime lacked any connection to terrorism.

On appeal, her attorneys challenged her conviction and sentence on many grounds. They said the judge improperly allowed jurors to consider the crumpled notes, and that the judge should never have allowed Siddiqui to decide whether to take the stand.

“The district court went to extraordinary lengths to ensure that Siddiqui understood the implications of testifying and had the capacity to testify,” the opinion said.

Dawn Cardi, an attorney for Siddiqui, was not immediately available to comment.

The appeals court also sided with Berman in finding that Siddiqui had likely premeditated the attack, and that terrorism sentencing requirements were applicable because of her willingness to harm Americans.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan happy to accept Dr Aafia if she serves sentence here: Malik</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/447778/us-concerned-over-americans-participating-in-ptis-peace-march</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/447778/us-concerned-over-americans-participating-in-ptis-peace-march#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 12 22:15:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=447778</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ruling out chances of swapping Dr Afridi with Dr Aafia, Rehman Malik talks about a mercy petition.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that Pakistan would be happy to accept Dr Aafia Siddiqui if she could carry out the rest of her conviction in Pakistan.

In a press conference at the Embassy of Pakistan, Malik said that he had raised the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui in his meeting with FBI Director Robert Mueller.

He said that Dr Siddiqui has an ailing mother and two children who were separated from her. When asked about the response he received from the FBI Director, Malik said that he has been given the understanding that this matter will be considered sympathetically.

Ruling out the chances of swapping Dr Shakil Afridi with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the interior minister said that he was talking about a mercy petition, and he understands that she has been convicted by a court. He said that he had also written a letter to the Attorney General of US on the matter and would release the contents of the letter on Saturday.

American participation in PTI march

US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman says that the US Embassy in Pakistan has been in touch with US citizens participating in the PTI Peace March to South Waziristan, and has informed them about the travel advisory issued by the US Government on traveling to that area.

Speaking to reporters after a nearly one-hour meeting with Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Ambassador Grossman said “They (the US citizens) are in no doubt on where we stand on this issue,” said Ambassador Grossman, adding that the US Embassy’s Charge D’ Affairs Ambassador Richard Hoagland had reached out to the US activists.

Ambassador Grossman said that Interior Minister Malik and he discussed the designation of the Haqqani Network, the issue of IEDs, counterterrorism and the region.

“Americans recognise who are victims of terrorism, Americans are victims of terrorism, but so many Pakistanis have lost their lives and given their lives in fighting terrorism,” said Ambassador Grossman.

Action against IEDs

Interior Minister Malik said that they were taking action on IEDs, and said that not only have they regulated the flow of fertiliser, but are also restricting its movement in certain areas. “IEDs is a very omni-available bombing device,” said the minister, and said that Pakistan’s National Counterterrorism IED strategy is working well, and that with Pakistan’s efforts, IEDs have been reduced considerably. The colour of the blood, whether that of someone from the US, Afghanistan or Pakistan, was the same, said Malik.

Malik said they were taking all legal and administrative measures, and that they were prepared to take additional measures. Ambassador Grossman said that the US wanted to support Pakistan’s policy on IEDs.

“It is not only Pakistan that is being blamed,” said Malik, adding that devices were being made in other countries as well.

Concerns on drones conveyed

Pakistan also urged the United States on "common counter-terrorism strategy against the common enemy," as Malik conveyed Islamabad's concerns on drone strikes in the tribal areas to senior American officials.

"We have a common enemy and we must have a common strategy to fight this enemy - Pakistan is committed with the international community in this fight -and we will hit them hard," Malik said standing next to Grossman after their meeting.

Malik acknowledged in a media interaction that there are reservations on the two sides, despite the fact that both have been victims of terror and have been fighting a common enemy in terrorists along the Afghan border. "Our side has conveyed our concerns regarding drone attacks - the people of Pakistan have been voicing this and we hope that this voice of the people of Pakistan will be heard," the Interior Minister said.

Later in the day, Malik met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He is also due to meet FBI Director Robert Mueller, and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and will participate in a meeting of the US-Pakistan working group on counterterrorism and law enforcement during his trip to the US capital.]]>
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			<title>PM Ashraf forms new committee to look into Aafia Siddiqui case</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/427297/pm-ashraf-forms-new-committee-to-look-into-aafia-siddiqui-case</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/427297/pm-ashraf-forms-new-committee-to-look-into-aafia-siddiqui-case#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 28 Aug 12 12:41:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=427297</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Four-member committee will be headed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Tuesday constituted a high profile four-member committee to look into the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Ashraf informed Dr Fauzia Siddiqui - Dr Aafia’s sister - and Former Attorney General of United States of America Ramsey Clark about the formation of the committee, an official statement said.

The committee will be headed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and has ministers for law, interior affairs and human rights as its members.

According to the statement, Ashraf assured Fauzia of all the possible assistance.

Dr Aafia, a neuroscientist by profession and a graduate of MIT, allegedly went missing for five years before she was discovered in Afghanistan. The prosecution says that she tried to fire on a US soldier during her interrogation. She has also been accused of working for al Qaeda.

Her family disputes the US version of this account. She was sentenced to 86 years in prison in 2010 by a New York court.]]>
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			<title>Dr Aafia’s lawyer seeks exchange with Dr Afridi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413676/prisoner-swap-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-lawyer-seeks-exchange-with-dr-afridi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/413676/prisoner-swap-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-lawyer-seeks-exchange-with-dr-afridi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 12 04:59:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=413676</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says they have written to the Pakistan embassy and members of the US Congress.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s lawyer says they have written to the Embassy of Pakistan to repatriate Dr Siddiqui in exchange for Dr Shakil Afridi, and are also in touch with members of the Congress on the issue.


Speaking to The Express Tribune, Tina Foster, Dr Siddiqui’s lawyer, said that they had sent a letter to the Ambassador Sherry Rehman, asking Pakistan to take action to repatriate Dr Siddiqui. However, said Foster, the Embassy of Pakistan has not sent her any “substantiative response” on the letter despite having acknowledged receiving it.

In response to Foster, Nadeem Hotiana, a spokesperson for the Embassy of Pakistan said that Pakistani authorities have been pressing US authorities to repatriate Dr Siddiqui ever since she was in US custody.

The Pakistani Embassy official told The Express Tribune, “Ms Foster did raise the matter of a possible exchange of Shakil Afridi with Dr Aafia. The matter was referred to the concerned authorities in Pakistan. It is not the place of the embassy to unilaterally create a response without Islamabad’s approval.”

Hotiana said that Dr Siddiqui’s lawyer has been told that her suggestions were forwarded to Islamabad. “The embassy essentially had a liaison role in all matters relating to Pakistan-US relations. Decisions were taken by the relevant authorities in the capital.”

Dr Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison on charges of firing on a US soldier in Bagram. Dr Siddiqui’s family says she had been missing with her children for several years before she was discovered in Bagram, and have denied all charges levelled against her.

US authorities accuse Dr Siddiqui of helping al Qaeda, notably Majid Khan, a Guantanamo detainee who recently pleaded guilty to all charges against him.

Dr Shakil Afridi was arrested after it came to light that he helped the CIA in trying to ascertain al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden’s identity in the Abbotabad compound through a fake polio vaccination campaign. He was convicted of helping a militant group and sentenced to 33 years in jail.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said that the US and Pakistan did not have a prisoner exchange treaty. The official said that they were not aware of any formal request from Pakistan on such an exchange.

Laura Lucas, a spokesperson for the State Department told The Express Tribune: “Aafia Siddiqui was convicted after trial and is serving her sentence. It is not clear if the US would accept such a request and if the US did accept, Dr Siddiqui would have to serve her sentence in Pakistan.

Foster said they had made a similar offer to then Interior Minister Rehman Malik in 2011 when CIA contractor Raymond Davis was jailed in Pakistan after killing two men in Lahore.

In her letter, Foster wrote, “Pakistan does not have many opportunities to influence US Government decisions regarding Pakistani citizens in its custody. However, the current situation presents the ideal opportunity to achieve what your Government has consistently stated that it desires the repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui to Pakistan.”

Davis flew to the US in March after blood money was paid to the families of the victims that Davis had shot dead in Lahore.

The Embassy of Pakistan said that they and the Consulate General in Houston are in touch with the prison authorities where Dr Siddiqui is detained, adding that an officer from the consulate general visits Dr Siddiqui nearly every three months, with the last visit taking place in April this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Dr Aafia still alive: US prison spokesperson</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396625/dr-aafia-still-alive-us-prison-spokesperson</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/396625/dr-aafia-still-alive-us-prison-spokesperson#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 12 16:25:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=396625</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan embassy says they are in regular contact with authorities. Dr Siddiqui had last called her family on June 19.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[An official for the holding facility where neuroscientist Dr Afia Siddiqui is being kept, has denied rumours of her death.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Wednesday, Dr Maria Douglas, a spokesperson for Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas where Dr Siddiqui is serving her prison sentence, vehemently denied rumours and said that it was absolutely false that Dr Siddiqui had passed away, adding that no medical emergency has arisen.

Earlier, text messages were circulating in Pakistan claiming that Dr Siddiqui had passed away at the prison facility.

Dr Siddiqui, a neuroscientist by profession and a graduate of MIT, allegedly went missing for five years before she was discovered in Afghanistan. The prosecution says that she tried to fire on a US soldier during her interrogation. She has also been accused of working for al Qaeda.

Her family disputes the US version of this account. She was sentenced to 86 years in prison in 2010 by a New York court.

A statement issued by the Embassy of Pakistan said that they and the Pakistani Consulate General in Texas are in regular contact with the FMC Carswell authorities regarding Dr Aafia Siddiqui. "At our query, the prison authorities confirmed today that Dr Siddiqui was quite well. She is also in regular telephone contact with her family and, according to the authorities, last telephoned her family on 19 June 2012.”

“An officer from the Pakistan Consulate General in Houston visits Dr Siddiqui at the FMC prison regularly. The last such visit took place in April 2012. Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s brother has also visited her in prison," said the press release.]]>
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			<title>Dr Aafia’s detention up to US: PML-N leader</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/351614/dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-detention-up-to-us-pml-n-leader</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/351614/dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-detention-up-to-us-pml-n-leader#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Mar 12 04:49:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ah.nizami]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=351614</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Raja Farooq Haider Khan criticises calls for her release.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[PML-N’s leader of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) chapter Raja Farooq Haider Khan said on Saturday that since Dr Aafia Siddiqi is a US citizen, the decision of her life imprisonment is ultimately up to America.


Addressing a press conference at the Kashmir Press Club, Khan, who is also a former prime minister of AJK, said that “those seeking her release should also raise a voice against the rape and torture of women by troops in Indian-held Kashmir.”

He criticised journalists who attacked Marvi Memon for calling Dr Aafia a terrorist. Memon recently quit PML-Q to join Nawaz Sharif’s faction.

Khan, who is the leader of the opposition in the AJK Legislative Assembly, said religious leaders of the area should raise a voice against the oppression on innocent women by Indian security forces in Kashmir.

Not a friendly opposition

Khan alleged that some elements were trying to oust AJK’s Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed of the PPP. “We will not allow for any sort of in-house change that could lead to the removal of the prime minister.”

He, however, said that the opposition would continue to voice concerns against any unhealthy policies of the AJK government. He snubbed the impression that PML-N was a ‘friendly opposition’ saying that it still believed last year’s general elections were not fair and transparent.

Demanding local bodies’ elections immediately, Khan said calling for early polls was PML-N’s manifesto. He said his party would also raise the issue in the upcoming session of the AJK’s Legislative Assembly.

Khan informed that his party’s chief Nawaz Sharif will visit Mirpur on April 5, to address a rally on the eve of the founding anniversary of PML-N’s AJK chapter. “Reorganisation (of the party) in AJK is in full swing and it is all set to emerge as the single largest political force of the region.” AJK law makers belonging to PML-N, including Ch Tariq Farooq, Shoukat Ali Shah, former minister Ch Rukhsar Ahmed and PML-N’s Mirpur leader Ch Muhammad Saeed were also present on the occasion.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Appeal process: Another attempt to repatriate Aafia Siddqui</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/345204/appeal-process-another-attempt-to-repatriate-aafia-siddqui</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/345204/appeal-process-another-attempt-to-repatriate-aafia-siddqui#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 04 Mar 12 05:10:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=345204</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Ministry of interior to write second letter to the US.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan is writing a letter to the US, again, seeking the repatriation of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, incarcerated in the US.


A New York-based court had found Aafia guilty of attempted murder of US military personnel in Afghanistan. She is currently serving 86-year jail sentence.

“We will adopt all legal and appropriate measures for the release of Dr Aafia,” said Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

It will be the second time that the ministry of interior through, the foreign ministry of Pakistan, will write to Washington for Aafia’s repatriation. On September 2010, Islamabad had written to the US attorney-general, requesting that the Pakistani neuroscientist be repatriated to her homeland.

Dr Aafia’s sister, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, wrote a letter to President Asif Ali Zardari titled “Aafia’s upcoming appeal process, the role of your government, and broken promises” on February 10, 2012. She wrote the same day a US Court was hearing an appeal in her sister’s case. She expressed concerns over the attorneys pleading the case. After more than a year, a US court of appeals for the second circuit heard an appeal of Aafia’s case in New York last month.

Interior ministry officials dealing with the case told The Express Tribune that Aafia could be deported to her home country under the UN convention for exchange/repatriation of prisoners on humanitarian grounds. But unfortunately, Pakistan is yet to sign this convention, they added.

The letter might also be written on grounds relating to the investigation report based on the International Justice Network, which revealed that a senior security official kidnapped Aafia from Karachi and handed her over to the CIA, Dr Fowzia told The Express Tribune. But even she termed this appeal a futile effort.

Pakistani Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman is also making efforts for the repatriation of Aafia. Last month, she met Tina Foster, Aafia’s counsel in the US, and discussed the case, any ease in sentence and her return to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Aafia’s family wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon requesting his help in securing her return to Pakistan. “It (Aafia’s repatriation) is a singularly comprehensive yet simple and unambiguous act. It is one that can lead to new respect for and confidence in the United Nations as an instrument of international peace and cooperation,” the letter stated.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2012.

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			<title>A Year After Sentence: US court hears Dr Aafia’s appeal</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/334814/a-year-after-sentence-us-court-hears-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-appeal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/334814/a-year-after-sentence-us-court-hears-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-appeal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 12 Feb 12 14:57:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=334814</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dr Siddiqui’s statements that were used to impeach her were not voluntarily obtained, she should get a new trial.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[More than a year after the infamous neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison on charges of attacking US soldiers, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heard an appeal in New York on Friday. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dawn Cardi, Dr Siddiqui’s lawyer, who has filed the appeal, said that they argued nine points. Cardi said Dr Siddiqui’s statements that were used to impeach her were not voluntarily obtained, and that she should get a new trial.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>US court hears Dr Aafia Siddiqui's lawyers appeal</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/334753/us-court-hears-dr-aafia-siddiquis-lawyers-appeal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/334753/us-court-hears-dr-aafia-siddiquis-lawyers-appeal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 10 Feb 12 19:47:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=334753</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Aafia's lawyers argued nine points in her appeal that her terrorism enhancements were not based on facts .]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[More than a year after the infamous neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison on charges of attacking US soldiers, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit heard an appeal in New York on Friday.

Speaking to the The Express Tribune, Dawn Cardi, Dr Siddiqui’s lawyer who has filed the appeal, said that they argued nine points. Cardi said that Dr Siddiqui’s statements that were used to impeach her were not voluntarily obtained, and that she should get a new trial.

Cardi said that the terrorism enhancements should have been imposed on the facts because it increased the 20-year sentence that Dr Sidduqui would have gotten to life sentence. Dr Siddiqui’s lawyer also said that they argued in front of the court that because of Dr Siddiqui’s mental health condition, her lawyers should have made the decision about her testifying at court, and not Dr Siddiqui herself.

When asked about the road ahead for the woman whose case grabbed headlines around the world when she was discovered at Bagram in 2008, Cardi said, “We wont know until the court writes its decision. It’ll take 3-4 months, and then there is no other recourse. Unless there is a constitutional issue of significance, you can not make an appeal to the Supreme Court, but its too early to say.”

Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a neuroscientist by profession and a graduate of MIT and currently held at a federal medical centre in Texas, allegedly went missing for five years before she was discovered in Afghanistan. The prosecution says that she tried to fire on a US soldier during her interrogation. She has also been accused of working for al Qaeda. Dr Siddiqui’s family disputes the US version of this account.

After her sentencing in September 2010, Dr Siddiqui also tried to fire her lawyers, and wrote a letter to the court that she did not want her case appealed. Dawn Cardi, Dr Siddiqui’s counsel, said that no one ever filed a notice of appearance for Dr Siddiqui to do her appeal. “As her assigned counsel, it is our obligation to appeal her case.”]]>
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			<title>US Court to hear Aafia's lawyers appeal against sentence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/334311/us-court-to-hear-aafias-lawyers-appeal-against-sentence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/334311/us-court-to-hear-aafias-lawyers-appeal-against-sentence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 12 21:52:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=334311</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Lawyer Dawn Cardi to appeal for overturning the judgement, prosecution will seek dismissal of the appeal.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A three judge panel of the US Court of Appeals is set to hear an appeal by Dr Aafia Siddiqui's lawyers, against her September 2010 conviction on charges for attempting to kill American intelligence officers in Afghanistan in 2008.

On February 9, her counsel, Dawn Cardi, will present her argument before the panel to overturn the judgement against her client, while the prosecution will seek dismissal of the appeal.

Dr Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, was sentenced to 86 years in prison by the Federal District Court in New York City, while she has consistently denied the charges levelled against her, pleading her innocence.

On April 2011, her lawyers had filed an appeal. Her court-appointed lawyer Cardi says the ‘multifaceted’ appeal will challenge the “court’s decision, the several legal issues with the trial, the introduction of evidence as well as how Siddiqui was allowed to testify given what we believe was her diminished capacity.”

However less than a month after the sentencing, Siddiqui fired her lawyers and waived her right to an appeal. Siddiqui wrote that she had fired her five lawyers and would be represented by Farha Ahmed, a Texas-based attorney.

Cardi had said that she had been in touch with Siddiqui’s family through a representative. When asked if they were supportive of the appeal, she said, “I don’t know nor do I care. It is my responsibility and I am obligated to file an appeal.”

Recently, there were reports that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman met with Tina Foster, Dr Siddiqui's lawyer from International Justice Network.

Foster had apprised the ambassador of her client’s situation and discussed with her various options to ease Aafia’s conditions of incarceration, and in the long term, her repatriation to Pakistan.

Arrested in July 2008 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, on allegations of being an al Qaeda operative and facilitator, Siddiqui was flown to New York where she was kept in a high security prison.

The neuroscientist's case, who is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Brandeis University,  has garnered global attention, particularly Pakistan, where protests demanding her release and repatriation to the country are held regularly by political and religious parties.

Human Rights groups have also conducted campaigns demanding her release or a lenient sentence.]]>
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			<title>Free Dr Aafia: Pasban announces protest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/332091/free-dr-aafia-pasban-announces-protest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/332091/free-dr-aafia-pasban-announces-protest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 04 Feb 12 20:27:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=332091</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pasban announced the launch of a fresh movement to secure the release of Dr Aafia Siddique.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pasban announced the launch of a fresh movement to secure the release of Dr Aafia Siddique, who is presently languishing in a US prison. Pasban Karachi chapter president Sheikh Muhammad Shakeel said in a statement Saturday that Pasban activists would besiege the American consulate on February 10 to demand the release of Dr Aafia.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Sherry gets updates on Dr Aafia’s condition</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/328360/sherry-gets-updates-on-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-condition</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/328360/sherry-gets-updates-on-dr-aafia%e2%80%99s-condition#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 12 04:56:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=328360</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Discusses with her lawyers options to ease her conditions, ultimate repatriation.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman on Friday met with Tina Foster, the lawyer for Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving a prison term in an American jail.


Foster apprised the ambassador of her client’s situation and discussed with her various options to ease Aafia’s conditions of incarceration, and in the long term, her repatriation to Pakistan.

Ambassador Sherry assured Foster that the Pakistan mission took responsibility to protect the rights of Pakistani citizens, including Dr Aafia, very seriously and would continue to ensure that no Pakistani citizen was deprived of these rights.

Sherry said that the Embassy and the Pakistan consulate general in Houston were in contact with FMC Carswell prison authorities and that she had asked the authorities to provide Dr Aafia with appropriate medical care. Ambassador Sherry also thanked Foster for trying to uphold Dr Aafia’s rights.

She said the Pakistani government had engaged a high-level team of attorneys to provide the best possible legal defence for Dr Aafia.

The embassy has said that it helped re-establish telephonic contact between Dr Aafia and her family in Karachi and also interceded on her behalf to try to ensure that her various other concerns, including those relating to her health, were addressed.

The embassy says it will continue to play this role while also exploring various options to facilitate Dr Afia’s eventual repatriation to her own country. The ambassador also assured the lawyer that she intended to visit Texas and to meet with Dr Aafia.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Rehman meets Dr Aafia's lawyer, assures her of support from Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327937/rehman-meets-dr-afias-lawyer-assures-her-of-support-from-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/327937/rehman-meets-dr-afias-lawyer-assures-her-of-support-from-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 12 06:01:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=327937</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rehman says govt of Pakistan engaging team of 3 attorneys to provide best possible legal defense to Dr Afia.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States (US) Sherry Rehman, while meeting Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s lawyer Tina Foster, said that the Pakistan Embassy took its responsibility to protect the rights of Pakistani citizens “very seriously”.

Rehman said that Pakistan will continue to ensure that none of its citizens living abroad are deprived of their rights.

Rehman told Foster that the government of Pakistan was engaging a team of three attorneys at a considerable expense to provide the best possible legal defense for Dr Aafia.

In the meeting, Foster apprised Rehman of Dr Aafia’s situation and also discussed options to ease her conditions of incarceration. Foster also discussed Dr Aafia’s eventual repatriation to Pakistan.

The ambassador informed Foster that the Pakistani Embassy and Pakistan’s Consulate General in Houston were in contact with the authorities of FMC Carswell prison to provide Dr Aafia appropriate medical care.

Rehman said that the embassy also helped reestablishing telephonic contact between Dr Aafia and her family in Karachi and also interceded on her behalf to try to ensure that her various other concerns, including those relating to her health, were addressed.

She said, “The Embassy will continue to play its role while also exploring options to facilitate Dr Aafia repatriation". The Ambassador also assured Foster that she intended to visit Texas and meet Dr Aafia.]]>
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			<title>Aafia’s family says it has nothing to do with funds campaign</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/261133/aafia%e2%80%99s-family-says-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-funds-campaign</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/261133/aafia%e2%80%99s-family-says-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-funds-campaign#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 27 Sep 11 04:45:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=261133</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sister says she was out of town when banners seeking donations were put up.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Until a few weeks ago, banners asking for Rs1.5 million in donations for the legal defence of Aafia Siddiqui adorned several neighbourhoods in Karachi.

Aafia is serving an 86-year sentence in the US on charges of attempting to kill US officials in Afghanistan. She is also widely believed to have been supporting al Qaeda.

Those banners, according to Aafia’s sister Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, have been removed at her behest as Fauzia does not believe this is the “right way” to ask for money and the banners were put up while she was not in Pakistan.

“It is not appropriate to ask for alms and donations for daughters. It is a daughter’s right.”

Fauzia Siddiqui was cagey in her responses over how the fundraising and legal appeal would work.

“Once we know how much the lawyer(s) fee will be, we will arrange that people directly contribute to the lawyers’ fund. I do not want to be involved in the middle. I also don’t want people to allege that I collected money in my sister’s name,” she said.

Since Aafia’s current legal defence team is court-appointed, there appears to be no need of funds for her case.

While she already has court-appointed lawyers, Fauzia says Aafia and their family have no confidence in the legal team.

Fauzia Siddiqui wants to engage Tina Foster of the International Justice Network, who represents their family, as Aafia’s lawyer. “We already saw what kind of case they (court-appointed lawyers) fought, without any witnesses or forensic evidence,” she told The Express Tribune. “They are corporate lawyers, they’re not criminal lawyers. We need proper appellate lawyers to fight the case.”

Aafia’s court-appointed lawyer Dawn Cardi’s website states that she has over 30 years of experience with the criminal defence system. Her firm specialises in matrimonial and family law, criminal defence and select federal and New York State litigation. She could not be immediately reached for comment.

However, Fauzia said Foster is not a criminal lawyer either.

While Fauzia said she would be meeting with and finalising the legal team in the first week of October, she declined to say if she would be meeting them in the US.

After being sentenced, Aafia fired her lawyers and waived her right to an appeal. In a letter to the presiding judge in her case, she stated: “I waive all my rights to file an appeal against the unjust sentence given to me on September 23, 2010. Nobody has the right to appeal it on my behalf in any court of law in the world. I have made my appeal to God and it has been answered.”

Fauzia also said the family is also getting visitation rights to Aafia, though she claims that in the past, their brother has been turned away from the jail by officials who allegedly told him that “normal rules do not apply to your sister”. Aafia is currently incarcerated at the Carswell prison in Texas.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Free aafia: Demo held in front of US consulate</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/221623/free-aafia-demo-held-in-front-of-us-consulate</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/221623/free-aafia-demo-held-in-front-of-us-consulate#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 31 Jul 11 22:07:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=221623</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The protesters were demanding the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Dozens of people staged a demonstration in front of the American consulate on Sunday. The protesters were demanding the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. After a sit-down in front of the consulate the demonstrators marched to the Lahore Press Club. Dr Aafia’s mother, Asmat Siddiqui addressed the demonstration over telephone. She said that the government should fulfill its promise of bringing Aafia back. She said that this will be the 9th Ramazan she will be spending without her daughter. The family of Ebad-ur-Rehman, who was crushed by a vehicle sent to rescue CIA contractor Raymond Davis were also present as were activists from Khaksaar Tahreek, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, Pasban Lahore and Tehreek-i-Istaqlal.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Jailed in US: Application in SC to repatriate Aafia</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/209300/jailed-in-us-application-in-sc-to-repatriate-aafia</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/209300/jailed-in-us-application-in-sc-to-repatriate-aafia#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 11 04:07:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=209300</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Fauzia Siddiqui sought help from the Chief Justice of Pakistan for bringing her sister back to Pakistan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui who is imprisoned in a US jail after being convicted of attempting to kill American soldiers, has sought help from the Chief Justice of Pakistan for bringing her sister back to Pakistan.


Fauzia filed an application in the Supreme Court on Wednesday. She pleaded that her sister has been sentenced to 86 years for a crime that she never committed.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Aafia Siddiqui and your editorial</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/159245/aafia-siddiqui-and-your-editorial</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/159245/aafia-siddiqui-and-your-editorial#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 11 19:11:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=159245</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[What passes for ‘liberalism’ in Pakistan is actually neo-conservative ideology.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[This is with reference to your editorial of April 27 titled “Aafia Siddiqui and WikiLeaks”. I am afraid it highlights the growing distance between ‘liberals’ and the rest of society.

I think it confirms that what passes for ‘liberalism’ in Pakistan is actually neo-conservative ideology. And in that regard, your editorial is an example of Pakistan’s very own neocons being apologists for American power. I expect to read such editorials on Fox News websites but rarely in The Express Tribune? Liberalism needs to be inclusive and actually listen to the deep genuine grievances that Pakistanis have about American power.  By writing such editorials we are only abandoning the discourse of anti-imperialism to the religious right and the clerics who manipulate genuine grievances for their own political purposes.

Ahmad Ali Khalid

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Aafia Siddiqui and WikiLeaks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/157888/aafia-siddiqui-and-wikileaks-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/157888/aafia-siddiqui-and-wikileaks-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 11 17:46:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=157888</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[They should refrain from carrying out any further protests and disrupting the lives of ordinary citizens.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Fresh revelations from WikiLeaks have confirmed what many rational-minded people have thought all along about Dr Aafia Siddiqui. However, for reasons better known to them, several Pakistani political and religious parties have long been protesting against the prison sentence handed down to Dr Siddiqui and, in doing so, have sought to incite the general public to acts of violence.

According to the WikiLeaks so-called ‘Guantanamo Files’, she plotted to smuggle explosives into America and also offered technical expertise to manufacture biological weapons. It is said that this information was provided by senior al Qaeda leaders but that this cannot be verified by independent sources.

However, the circumstantial evidence is enough to make any sensible person think that there must be some truth to these charges. Also, I would hope that those who have since long been vociferously pleading for Aafia’s innocence should now stop their shenanigans. They should refrain from carrying out any further protests and disrupting the lives of ordinary citizens.

Masood Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Aafia Siddiqui and WikiLeaks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/157873/aafia-siddiqui-and-wikileaks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/157873/aafia-siddiqui-and-wikileaks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 11 17:34:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=157873</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In the court of public opinion, however, she should now be considered guilty.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Diehard supporters of Aafia Siddiqui have maintained her innocence from when she was arrested in Ghazi in 2008, where she was caught in possession of chemicals, through to her trial in New York City in 2010, where she was handed down an 86-year sentence for shooting at her US interrogators. However, the latest revelations from WikiLeaks show that she was part of an al Qaeda cabal plotting to smuggle explosives into the US, and that she volunteered to manufacture biological weapons. This is unlikely to dampen the ardour of her vociferous supporters, but for the rest of us it should now be abundantly clear that Aafia was deeply tied to al Qaeda.

Much of the information in the WikiLeaks files concerning Aafia comes from testimony from 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was waterboarded nearly 200 times in Guantanamo Bay. It is possible that he may have agreed with everything his interrogators demanded of him because of the torture methods employed. Still, the coincidences are far too damning to buy the story that Aafia was trapped in a web of US conspiracies. According to the cables, Mohammed’s nephew, Ammar Baluchi, who was allegedly married to Aafia, was the person who asked Aafia to work on manufacturing biological weapons. The file of Guantanamo detainee Saifullah Paracha, another cause celebre in Pakistan, says that Aafia opened a PO box in the US as part of a plan to smuggle explosives into the US. That Paracha’s son was in possession of the key to that box is again damning for Aafia.

This is not to say that the US has handled Aafia’s case according to international norms. Her whereabouts since her disappearance from Karachi in 2003 till she was arrested in 2008 in Afghanistan remain a mystery and she may well have been illegally detained by either the US or Pakistan. She has also never been charged with or tried for terrorism in a court. In the court of public opinion, however, she should now be considered guilty. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan Consul General in Texas visits Dr Aafia</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/150656/pakistan-consul-general-in-texas-visits-dr-aafia</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/150656/pakistan-consul-general-in-texas-visits-dr-aafia#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Apr 11 08:14:35 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Embassy in Washington coordinating for consular access to Dr Aafia.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston visited Dr Aafia Siddiqui at the Carswell detention facility in Texas, on Friday.

Consul General Aqil Nadeem was visiting Siddiqui on the instructions of Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani.

In the meeting, which lasted for two hours, Siddiqui informed the consul general that she was in good health and was pleased to have spoken with her mother and children over the phone.

Embassy officials said that Siddiqui will also be meeting her brother after she requested it. The consul general informed Siddiqui that the Pakistan embassy in Washington had coordinated for consular access for her through the concerned authorities.

She asked Nadeem  to convey her thanks to Ambassador Haqqani for his concern for her welfare, the official said.

Siddiqui was sentenced on seven counts in a federal court in Manhattan on September 23, 2010, and is serving an 86-year sentence.]]>
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			<title>Aafia’s lawyers to file appeal against sentence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/149229/aafia%e2%80%99s-lawyers-to-file-appeal-against-sentence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/149229/aafia%e2%80%99s-lawyers-to-file-appeal-against-sentence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 14 Apr 11 04:47:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=149229</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Siddiqui’s request to fire legal team was not approved by the court.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Lawyers for Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui are filing an appeal in her case on April 15.


Siddiqui was sentenced on seven counts in a federal court in Manhattan on September 23, 2010, and is serving an 86-year sentence.

Her court-appointed lawyer Dawn Cardi says the ‘multifaceted’ appeal will challenge the “court’s decision, the several legal issues with the trial, the introduction of evidence as well as how Siddiqui was allowed to testify given what we believe was her diminished capacity.”

Less than a month after the sentencing, Siddiqui fired her lawyers and waived her right to an appeal. Siddiqui wrote that she had fired her five lawyers and would be represented by Farha Ahmed, a Texas-based attorney. Ahmed declined to speak to The Express Tribune about Siddiqui.

Cardi said that she had been in touch with Siddiqui’s family through a representative. When asked if they were supportive of the appeal, she said, “I don’t know nor do I care. It is my responsibility and I am obligated to file an appeal.”

Five lawyers were involved in Siddiqui’s case, three of which were retained by the Pakistani government and endorsed by her family. However, Siddiqui refused to accept her legal team and the court appointed lawyers Dawn Cardi and Chad Edgar to represent her.

International Justice Network (IJN) Project Director Tina Foster said that since her sentencing, the court has not allowed Siddiqui any visits with her family or any attorneys other than her court-appointed lawyers. The IJN represents Siddiqui’s family.

However, a spokesperson of the Pakistani embassy in the US said the embassy is in touch with Siddiqui’s court-appointed lawyers and is prepared to offer all assistance. The spokesperson said that the “embassy has tried to arrange telephone calls between Dr Siddiqui and her family in Karachi. The call should go through in the next few days.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Victim’s family ‘open’ to Aafia’s repatriation in ‘exchange’ for Davis</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/125093/raymond-davis-for-aafia-siddiqui</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/125093/raymond-davis-for-aafia-siddiqui#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 11 04:37:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=125093</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Brother of Raymond Davis victim says he is open to exchanging US citizen for Dr Aafia.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Family members of one of Raymond Davis’ victims, Faheem, said they are open to exchanging Davis for Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

Faheem’s family, including his brother Waseem, father and uncle, were addressing the media at the residence of Siddiqui’s sister Dr Fauzia’s residence in Karachi. They had arrived in the city to meet with Siddiqui’s family.

Faheem and Faizan, killed by Davis in Lahore, were neither robbers nor had any criminal record, said Waseem while addressing the media. The weapons had been planted on them later to implicate them, he asserted.

Before the Americans can even talk about repatriating Davis, they need to release Aafia, said Dr Fauzia.

Meanwhile, Siddiqui’s mother added that it was the right of the families of Davis’ victims to ask for monetary compensation or demand Siddiqui’s release.

Faheem’s family, however, said they would resist pressure by the US and Pakistan government to accept blood money as compensation.

Earlier, Faheem’s family was received at Karachi airport by supporters of a rightwing political party that had invited Faheem’s family to Karachi.

The supporters chanted slogans against Davis and demanded he be hanged.

The government’s efforts to release Davis will be resisted at every level, said Pasban president Altaf Shakoor while addressing the gathering at the airport. He condemned the US authorities for ‘falsifying facts to get the killer released.’

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>‘Pakistan tried to trade Davis with Aafia’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/125603/%e2%80%98pakistan-tried-to-trade-davis-with-aafia%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/125603/%e2%80%98pakistan-tried-to-trade-davis-with-aafia%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 11 02:35:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[American TV reports say Pakistan govt offered to trade Davis for Aafia, but the offer was dismissed by the US govt.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Pakistan government offered to trade CIA contractor Raymond Davis, accused of killing two people for Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui suspected by US intelligence to be an al Qaeda operative, America’s ABC television reported on Monday.

According to a senior American administration official and a Pakistani official involved in the negotiations to free Davis, the Pakistan government proposed trading Davis for Aafia, who is currently serving 86 years in federal prison for attempted murder.

The offer was immediately dismissed by the US government. “The Pakistanis have raised it,” the US official said. “We are not going to pursue it.”

The proposal is the latest in a series of efforts to break an impasse between Washington and Islamabad over Davis. Davis has been held by Pakistani authorities since late January for shooting and killing two men he says were following his car and tried to rob him.

Aafia was convicted of trying to shoot FBI agents and military officers in an Afghanistan police station in 2008. She had been arrested the day before after being found with a list of New York city landmarks and instructions on how to construct explosives.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Dr Aafia petitions: CJ seeks report on three missing files</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/120622/dr-aafia-petitions-cj-seeks-report-on-three-missing-files</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/120622/dr-aafia-petitions-cj-seeks-report-on-three-missing-files#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 19 Feb 11 06:07:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The petitions were filed for her release, repatriation, financial assistance.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Sindh High Court Chief Justice Musheer Alam has sought a report from the deputy registrar of the writ branch about three files of constitutional petitions by three NGOs seeking the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, her repatriation to Pakistan, legal assistance, the recovery of her children and financial assistance to the family.

On Friday, the matter was brought to the knowledge of Chief Justice Alam in an open court after an application regarding a Guantanamo Bay prisoner was disposed of. Nisar A Mujahid of the Human Rights and Civil Liberties Council said that an order was passed by a division bench in 2009 and the federal government was ordered to comply with the orders in the next four months.

When nothing happened, an application for contempt of court and for forcing the government to comply with court orders was filed.

And then the files went missing.

One of the petitions was filed by Amity International through its chairman Mahfooz Yar Khan advocate, another by Intikhab Alam Suri of the Human Rights Network.

The chief justice was informed that the files have been missing for a year and a half.

He asked the complainant to write a few lines so that an executive order is passed.

A joint application was then signed and submitted by Nisar A Mujahid, Mehfooz Yar Khan and Intikhab Alam Suri at which the chief justice sought a report about the missing files by Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>What about Aafia Siddiqui?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/119906/what-about-aafia-siddiqui</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/119906/what-about-aafia-siddiqui#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 17 Feb 11 17:49:56 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[She didn’t even kill anyone, unlike Mr Davis, who shot dead two Pakistanis.]]>
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				<![CDATA[All of us, in the Raymond Davis affair, seem to have lost sight of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. She has been sentenced to over 80 years in prison and she didn’t even kill anyone, unlike Mr Davis, who shot dead two Pakistanis. The Davis case should be a wakeup call for the Pakistani government and the people of Pakistan to insist that Dr Siddiqui be released by the US.

Hasnain Shaban

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Aafia Siddiqui was handed to Pakistani agencies in 2003, new tape reveals</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/119103/aafia-siddiqui-was-handed-to-pakistani-agencies-in-2003-new-tape-reveals</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/119103/aafia-siddiqui-was-handed-to-pakistani-agencies-in-2003-new-tape-reveals#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 11 04:39:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Alleged conversation with police officer released by Aafia’s representatives.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A new recording of an alleged conversation with a high-ranking police officer suggests that Aafia Siddiqui was handed over to Pakistani intelligence agencies in 2003.

The recording has been released by the International Justice Network (IJN), which represents Siddiqui’s family. While campaigners for Siddiqui have consistently said that she was arrested and handed over to intelligence agencies that then transferred her into US custody, the charge has been denied by the previous government and US officials.

The conversation, which was reportedly recorded by a Pakistani-American man, is of a meeting with an individual who identifies himself as the head of counter-terrorism for Sindh, Imran Shaukat. The recording cannot be independently verified by The Express Tribune. According to police officials, Shaukat is currently in the US for a two-year training course. They were unable to provide any contact information for him in the US.

According to the transcript and recording released by the IJN and the voices identified by their source, Shaukat says Siddiqui – whose face he had not seen before - was caught as she was travelling to Islamabad. He says she was handed over to the Pakistani intelligence agencies. “That’s what they were saying that the machinery was purchased and Osama bin Laden ... that she was one with him ...” he is heard saying, and that Siddiqui was a “minor facilitator”. The source (who recorded the conversation) is heard asking, “Why couldn’t she help them snag him, miscellaneous interrogations notwithstanding?” Shaukat replies, “Well, they are not fools. They wouldn’t inform her of their forwarding address.”

When the source asks Shaukat about Maryam, Siddiqui’s daughter, being recovered “yesterday”, he replies that this news is “two or three-months old”. Shaukat also says that Siddiqui’s daughters “were picked up from somewhere” and “we took them with us. They were American nationals. They were all born there.”

Former interior minister Faisal Saleh Hayat told The Express Tribune that he stands by his earlier statements that the government, police and intelligence agencies had no role in the alleged abduction of Aafia Siddiqui.

On the tape, Shaukat is heard describing the modus operandi of the intelligence agencies. “They come, they pick up a person (and keep him) for two to three months … someone files a civil rights petition and we say that we don’t have this person. The intelligence agencies then bring a person to us and say now do an entry and keep him. We say, ‘We’ve already told the court that we don’t have this person, now the court will catch us’”.

Siddiqui, on the other hand, is believed to have told the Federal Bureau of Investigation, that “she was aware that various law enforcement agencies had been looking for her, and that she therefore was in ‘hiding’ for the last five years.”

IJN’s Project Director Tina Foster told The Express Tribune that the recording, which the IJN is reassured is real, “certainly warrants a new investigation.” When asked why the recording – which was received by IJN in April 2010 – was not brought up earlier, Foster said the case Siddiqui was convicted of was very specific (i.e. the incident in Ghazni) and the IJN needed time to verify the content. They felt that now – in light of the Raymond Davis case – the government should take a stand on Siddiqui’s case.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>FO expresses helplessness over Aafia’s repatriation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/73595/fo-expresses-helplessness-over-aafia%e2%80%99s-repatriation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/73595/fo-expresses-helplessness-over-aafia%e2%80%99s-repatriation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Nov 10 06:59:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Siddiqui's letter to Judge Berman reiterated her decision to fire team engaged by Govt of Pakistan to defend her.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Foreign Office (FO) sees very little possibility of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s repatriation through any bilateral treaty or a presidential pardon.

Siddiqui, who was recently sentenced to 86 years in prison by a US judge, has put the government of Pakistan in an awkward position after she refused to avail the option of appealing against the sentence.

According to a confidential letter that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted to a parliamentary committee last week, Siddiqui had written a letter to Judge Richard Berman on October 15, ‘reiterating’ her decision to fire the team engaged by the Government of Pakistan to defend her case. She also wrote that no one had the right to appeal against the sentence on her behalf in any court of law. According to the FO, by writing such a letter, she had lost her right to appeal against the sentence.

Siddiqui was handed down the sentence on September 23, following which the government has been under intense pressure to secure her release. While she was under trial in New York, the Pakistani government had engaged a team of lawyers comprising Dawn Cardi, Chat Edgar, Charles Swift, Lindia Moreno and Elaine Sharp to defend her case.

The same team was tasked to file an appeal against the sentence.

According to US law, a person sentenced under the federal law can only be repatriated or transferred to their country of origin if that country is a signatory to a prisoner transfer treaty that has also been signed by the US.

According to the FO, the US is a signatory to two multilateral prisoner transfer treaties – the Council of Europe (COE) Convention and the Inter-American Convention on Serving Criminal Sentences Abroad. Pakistan, on the other hand, is not a signatory to either of the two nor is there any bilateral treaty between Pakistan and the US.

The last option that the government has is to apply for a presidential pardon but the FO is not hopeful that the option would work in Siddiqui’s case.

The FO says pardon applications go through the Office of Pardon in the Justice Department, which makes recommendations to the US president. The US Constitution gives the president absolute discretion in awarding pardon or commuting a sentence, but it isn’t usually awarded in cases where the defendant does not admit responsibility or expresses remorse.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2010.]]>
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			<title>In defence of Aafia</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/73437/in-defence-of-aafia</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/73437/in-defence-of-aafia#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 06 Nov 10 17:39:04 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[So what about Dr Aafia’s human rights and those of her children?]]>
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				<![CDATA[This is with reference to a report in your newspaper “Huge losses incurred in defending Aafia” (November 6). Why are people against Dr Aafia Siddiqui? The so-called liberals in Pakistan have destroyed the country. Most liberals, if not all, claim to speak on behalf of human rights — so what about Dr Aafia’s human rights and those of her children?

Hassan Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7th, 2010.]]>
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