Dr Aafia Siddiqui was convicted in a US court on terror charges. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: 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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@every one of you who calling Dr. Affia a "Terrorist"
she might have done some things bad to US that doesn't mean she is worst muslim this term "Terrorist" was allways use for any other country/person who opposes US ideas of killing/controling people or countries. and you all are following the same line of Pakistani Media.
In my openion Dr.Shakil Afridi is terrorist and an Agent.
Living in west, listening to most of you gibrishing about Dr. Affia it feels its all working for USA. Speaking the language of US backed serian girl who turned out to be a fake bloger from Canada and thinking the same way.
@Kamran: where you got this from? we have been hearng since her arrest she is innocent.
@Sohaib: Dear Sohaib, I fully agree with you. Dr. A. Siddiqui is definitely not an American citizen, but is a 100 percent Pakistani citizen. The reason Dr. Siddiqui was illegally picked up and strenuously tortured by the Americans was due to the fact that she was unlucky enough to have an uncle-in-law who was arrested and tortured until he gave names of people he knew. He was water-boarded over 100 times amongst other brutal torture techniques that US personnel are so good at inflicting upon poor wretches they merely suspect. As a result Dr. A. Siddiqui was placed on a wanted list. After being held incommunicado, drugged, mistreated and tortured for several years the poor women, all 90 pounds of her, attempted in desperation to attack her torturers. All she got for her troubles, amongst other things, was bullets in her stomach, the loss of a kidney, and illegal shipment to the US for a comic opera trial. All the US prosecutors could come up with was that she attacked the American criminals who had been torturing her in Afghanistan. Of course, a supposed US fair trial would not be complete unless it included several lesser and dubious inconsequential charges, which are included to confuse the jury. However, there were no charges, or mention whatsoever, that Dr. A. Siddiqui was a terrorist. One could write a 10,000 word dissertation about the cruel treatment meted out to Dr. Siddiqui, the false innuendo put out by America, and the extremely unsafe courtroom TV type drama trial she was subjected to, which international jurists have condemned as a travesty of justice. As a result I find it difficult to believe the Americans could even attempt to impose restrictions upon Dr. Siddiqui if and when she is exchanged for a known Pakistan criminal, whom the US is lauding as a hero.
@Vishnu Dutta: if you dont know anything please stop spreading fake news. she is a pakistani citizen and has pakistani passport
@Aysha M:
I know that you are ET's resident MQM troll and Dr Aafia is in all likelihood several stages of crazy that we shouldn't be paying for, but why Jhang? She's a Mohajir from Karachi, that's her hometown.
Swap with Shakil Afridi perhaps, the guy partly responsible for Osama's death and Pakistani embarrassment?
So if this does goes thru, a Terrorist will be exchanged for a guy who helped catch a Terrorist. USA win-win.
Ironic how the attention has shifted from "Malala" to "Aafia" within a week.
@Inzimam: Why are you equating a 13 year old girl with a grown woman ? And saying that Aafia is more educated than Malala... Of course, she is you dimwit and Malala was shot while in 8th or 9th class. So what if Malala met Holbrooke ? Your point being what - that Malala is a CIA agent?
Seriously,are you insane or what ?
@Alishba: That's not a lady you are talking to but the MQM media cell.
@Umer: how come u aware of it that she was in afghanistan
Her case is complicated and not clear cut. Calling her a terrorist isn't entirely accurate - more than meets the eye here. There are no easy choices here: the longer she remains in US custody, the more of a martyr she becomes. If she is sent back to Pakistan, no government will be able to withstand the pressure of keeping her locked hep.
The best that can be hoped for is extradition to another Muslim country but that's not likely either.
@Umer: No. By my statement i mean that not all the people in Jhang are from Lashkar-e-Jhangvi just like not all the Karachiites are from MQM.
@Hedgefunder: Sir well said..respect.
@Inzimam:
Sir I would suggest you to seek some medical help. These medical folks can help you to improve your IQ, which will open doors of heaven for you as your god will be extremely happy with your improved condition.
@jibran:
Self proclaimed terrorist make good lovers :)
@Naveed Alam Khattak:
Raymond Davis sent two pious pakistani Muslims to jannatul Firdaus. He should be given Pakistan's highest civilian and military award for doing such a pious job :)
@Alishba:
Yes she was given a good and free proctology and various cavity examination to make her a better and pious Muslim :) to cleanse her of any wrong doing.
@Umer: @G. Din: Yaaro !! we wish to gift thïs Afia daughter of "UMMA" alongwith sone of the UMMA Qadaa Copier from both from Bopal, and no one wish to accept our GIFT. so let USA keep at least this JAMATI daughter, we will DONATE our KHALIFA Zahid Hamid, Gazwa e Hind Wala as packing material
A question just stuck me. Had Afia been a shia, would Pakistanis have been as much supportive of her and called her a Quom Ki Beti? It would be another discussion if Afia would have turned up to what she has now become (a terrorist) had she been a shia.
@Farooque
She isn't a USA citizen - that's another Pakistan myth - suggest you use Wikipedia. She also isn't being sent to Pakistan as this entire article is bogus.
@Paki: I think she will fit in perfectly well with "Ghazi" mumtaz Quadri and a host of other religious franklestiens in Pakistan who have been turned into heroes in Pakistan but will be considered as villians in any civilized society.
@Aysha M: "Please dont bring her to Karachi......"
Karachi is self sufficient; no outside supply needed.
@Kamran: Because our "mai baap", the United States of Amnesia also spent state money and resources to extradite a terrorist known as Raymond Davis.
@Furqan: Wow .. you openly recommend breach of trust. If she comes to Pakistan it will be under an agreement between govts. If you break that agreement remember Pakistanis will be seen as born liars and bunch of evil
" According to an Iranian TV"
Doesn't it explain all ? May Iranians have released the cat among pigeons by planting this news. This news item will create a real problem for the Pakistan government and her relations with USA. As one can see, the news has already created public uproar in Pakistan. Has anyone from Pakistani or US government confirmed the news ?
All the liberal terrorists are here showing thier true liberal values of rule of law, truth and justice. Now I am never going to feel bad on Karachi killing the liberals killing each other is just reward for inciting hatred and bring WOT to Pakistan
@Aysha M: Now look at you the champion of the Mohajir community in Sindh particularly Karachi, Aafia will be a true fit in MQM, Your parents or grand parents immigrated from India so does her parents or grand parents, so what is the difference, all of you call your self Mohajirs even after 65 years, what always bothers me is that why can't you call your self Pakistani from Sindh, I am PAKISTANI American and comes from Mardan, KP. I don't mean to be mean or insulting to you but I do wonder why can't you call your self Pakistani first since you are living in Pakistan.
@Jag Nathan: Hey, how about sending her to India. You guys take care of terrorist properly, don't you. I see you are doing it in Kashmir.
@Charlie Chapatti: LOL, this is a good one. you made my day.
It is unlikely that Aafia will be released. Not all the facts are known about her. Conjectures should be avoided. If the US has really offered to sign a swap-prisoners treaty, then Pakistan should consider signing it, since as it is, we send US all the men/women it wants, who it accuses. Indeed, during Musharraf's time, Pakistan has been more loyal than the King. Aafia or not, but signing a treaty for exchanging the wanted would at least get back some other Pakistanis, which might not be terrorists.
She is a US citizen, why she is being sent to Pakistan.
Rubbish. Anyone think the USA is going to confide in Iran about a prisoner swap with Pakistan? Anyone ask why this alleged deal isn't mentioned on any newspaper outside of Pakistan (including Iran). Anyone ask why in the World the USA would enter into a "prisoner swap" with Pakistan - you don't have any prisoners to swap. Just another "made in Pakistan" article with no substance. Shame on the Editor for performing zero due diligence.
There are already plenty terrorists in Pakistan ,then why pakistanis going mad for American resident (green card holder) dr. Afia ??
Majority of main stream Pakistanis bash Malala & admire Afia ,while Afia admire Jihad,madarsa Talban & married with jihaddai on the other hand Malala admires for empowerment of girl & modern western education instead madarsa .Interestingly majority of Pakistanis who bash Malala & admire Afia want to send their daughter to modern school instead madarsa & Jihad ,they dont want their daughter to marry to a jihaddi like Afia 2nd husband Amar Al Baluchi who is in prison in Guantanamo bay and is nephew of 9/11 master mind khalid sheikh Mohammad.
@expaki:
Saudis are not that stupid. They only want such people in their colonies to do their dirty work, but not on their own soil.
@sars: We have here a person without MIND or BRAIN in US policy making. Usually a Country on OCCASION releases BIRDS of peace and here we have released A TERRORIST. The speaks OUR FOREIGN POLICY of GOOD WILL. Good Luck Pakistan enjoy your GIFT.
US and Germany: Collect Scientists to invent new products for export Pakistan: Collects terrorists to train new products for export
@G. Din: Yaar, if you accept India being motherland for other too like it's yours then wo are you to suggest that its children should be denied coming home. Isn't home a place where one can come anytime one wishes without permission or invitation?
@Hammad M:
You mean Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is just a fragment of our imagination and does not actually exist?
Trail of Afia and other such trails have exposed the corruption of United Snakes Judicial system!!! Pakistani establishment is partner in crimes with United Snakes.
@expaki: "Send her to Saudi Arabia, she fits there as DAUGHTER OF UMMA, or in BHOPAL, where she originates. " She may have originated in Bhopal , so did the Father of your Nooklear Bum, they both knew their destiny could only be fulfilled in "the Land of the Pure". Both have now fulfilled their destiny, in the vast realm of infamy. Keep them both. India has absolutely no use for either one of them or any of those others who chose the "Land of the Pure" over their motherland or even those who still feel stifled in India today and aspire to join those two notorious characters.
@Alishba: You know what, I don't care and don't think that we Pakistanis should even make it our business to worry what happend or happens to a terrorist, especially if she has been convicted by the laws of the country of her own choice. She traded her Pakistaniness for a foreign country which is fine but now she must abide by the rules and laws of that country. She is an American and America must deal with its own problems and please do not pass the buck on to us, we have enough of such terrrorists right here and do not need any more such inspirations and encouragement. Her release would simply send wrong message to all the budding terrorists, and by God we have a plenty of them here. She must pay for her crimes and pay to the Land which granted her citizenship, educated and fed her (scholarshps to MIT a prime univerty there) but failed to inculcate some tolerance and a civilized way of life.
Her best place is either saudi arabia, Jhang or may be murid ke
She is a terrorist and should rot in a dark cell for the rest of her life. But in Pakistan, of course she will be a national hero. That is not surprising for a nations whose prime export commodity is Jihad. She will be worthy of her nation's reputation for sure.
@Kamran: "This is ridiculous!! Why in the world Pakistani Govt. is spending state money and resources to help a self-confessed terrorist?? " Bhai Sahib, remember ANNAA Wandaay RIODRIAAN? Its government of someone who declared that " MUJAAY PAKAA YAQEEN hai, kai Zia is in JANAT.? So he is spending AWAMI money to please Jamati FATHERS of this self confessed TERRORIST.
Spare me please ! Such reliable source for such trash ! Iranian TV, as if they have any doors to the US admin and their people ! I have more chance of winning an lottery, than this woman getting released or transferred to Pakistan !
If Afia was in place of Malala the Aafia's shameless bashers here would have been doing the opposite. The difference is clear. The ones raped and molested by US forces and jailed without any evidence becomes "bad" automatically while the one who is hit by Taliban forces for being used in false propaganda against Taliban, teaming up with CIA agents proven by New york Times videos and pictures proving meetings between Malala, her father and US Richard Hollbrok, she becomes hero automatically. Dr. Aafia is more educated than Malala but still she was molested but blind lovers of Malala did not accuse US for being anti-education. Reason is simple. It does not matter what the issue is, either eduction or else, but what is the direction of flow of power and money.
US is epitome of Hypocrisy and its blind followers in Pakistan are the worst among them.
I truly feel bad for this lady, i mean a woman this much qualified ended up being miserable to even look at. I dont know what is really her case, but there must be something why she was ever captured. She might be innocent as well but there has to be a probe - a fare trial is the need
Why should Pakistani government pay attention to terrorist supporter? A terrorist is a terrorist either Mullah or female Mullah.
@Alishba:
How did you become aware of it? Were you with her at the time?
Afia categorically denied any such treatment in her trial. She is in US mainland. Even her brother is there. The Pakistani consulate regularly visits her. They can easily ask for a medical check up if it were true.
These are just typical mullah lies to make a hero out of a terrorist. What about Mumtaz Qadri? Is he innocent too?
Aysha is right that her types are better suited to Jhang.
PMLN knows that it is failing on all fronts. It is now using these gimmicks for political mileage among its radical voters. My message to its leaders, please don't create another Qadri. Courts will release her the next day, and it will become a major embarrassment.
Did anyone ask her if she wanted to come back?
She is American right! America ki beti. I am sure prison conditions in USA are way better than the kot lakhpat jail.
There is no way she will ever step outside the US. Everyone is just blowing smoke on the gullible illiterate extremist population. She is a terrorist and she will fade her miserable life away in some dark corner. Those US barabarians are nuts to let a terrorist who has all the information on the torture done to her being repeated on GEO TV to make the sheep's madder than they already are. It might male their heads and beards explode.
She is a self confessed terrorist, who choose path of extremism her self. Got divorce from her regular husband on similar basis and then married al Qaeda leader's nephew involved in 9/11. The forensic evidence, the bomb manufacturing documents .... what are we talking about?
She ain't no innocent dove... She has done NO SERVICE to Pakistan but only to her evil doctrine of spreading death all over. She was rightly sentenced and Pakistan must avoid to bring back such nutcases. US is just trying to cut their expense.
She may have been mistreated during her captivity but so are all women in Pakistani jails, so call them all Pakistan ki Beti and first heal their wounds.
@Alishba: Question is why she was sleeping with the likes of khalid sheikh muhammad, and then in the court why she offered her services to mediate between the US and the arab terrorists operating from Afghanistan. Bottomline is the she was neck deep in crimes, and got what she deserved.
@Aysha M: Bibi ji, I respect Altaf Sahib, and he is son of the land, I propose, she should be let at his DISCRETION to deal with. Beside he as Urdu speaking, knows better how to deal with such urdu speaking "Jamati daughter", sister of Khalifa Zahid Hamid, Gazwa e Hind Wala.
@Paki:
What was she doing in Afghanistan? According to her own son they only reached a day before capture via Kandahar. No wonder her son is being kept out of public.
will never happen...
@Aysha M: No, not even to Jhang, she should be consigned to her terrorist hubby's country whatever that one is, but not at any price or any circumstances to Pakistan. Please, please spare this curse, we have plenty of our own cancerous cells to cure not this full blown cancerous tumour for us to deal This American terrorist won't spend even 86 weeks in prison leave alone 86 years, the terror network is much too strong here for the law or any such legal bindings to hold. Best thing is to keep her where she is, it's good for her and for the rest of the world and, especially, us the poor Pakistan.
She is imprisoned for nothing but Raymond Davis was set free after killing 2 innocent people. What a shame.
ooo please keep her where she is...the killed lal masjid clerik was burried in his home town which is not the brith place of terrorists..qadri has become a hero and an inspiration..bring Aafia here and for the next 89 years we will be breeding terrorists, may be this is what the states want but I dont want that....There is a reason zewahri is not allowed back in Egpty or Saudia refused to accept OBL's body because they did not want him to become saint and people to start following them...
Send her to Saudi Arabia, she fits there as DAUGHTER OF UMMA, or in BHOPAL, where she originates. Altering little from @Aysha M, she should be hand over to Afghanistan. Afghani Pathans will be happy to accommodate her, as DAUGHTER OF UMMA. Lert Jamti Mullahs to pay for her accommodation..
@Aysha M
It really was surprising amidst shocking for me; reading such a remark from a lady yourself to a lady(Aafia). It is such an irony that people like you
withoutdoing any research fall to believe in such stories. Ms. Aafias case was purely a sharp setup to safeguard ones status quo.Had you been aware about the treatment and other bodily assaults done on her, you would declare war on united states of america.
Though, i am really very glad, she`s returning home; wish here prompt recovery and the best of health.
btw Aysha M is now inciting ethnic violence by referring to people in jhang as "her likes". Shame that the party you so advertise based on points that its open to people from all the pprovinces, is spreading ethnic violence. Shame
I dont get it Why was there a rifle lying around in the interrogation room in the reach of a convicted felon
Are we running low on fundamentalist nutcases?
good news
And under this swapping agreement Shakil Afridi will be handed over to USA.
Please dont bring her to Karachi, keep her in Jhang, among her likes
Prisoners flee from jail daily here. Soon she can be free as well. Is that how the US deals with terrorists these days?
Red carpet welcome for Quam ki/Islam ki beti.
Pakistan will greatly benefit from her arrival here. A JI devotee, she is a great asset for our attempts to enforce true Islam in the entire universe. Once here, she should be released unconditionally to pursue her destiny.
This is ridiculous!! Why in the world Pakistani Govt. is spending state money and resources to help a self-confessed terrorist??
All the Malala bashers rejoice!
No thanks.