PM orders raising issue of alleged sexual assault on Dr Aafia Siddiqui before US

World recognises measures taken by Pakistan against terrorism and terror financing, says FO

ISLAMABAD:

Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Thursday ordered to raise the matter of the alleged sexual assault on Dr Aafiia Siddiqui before the US State Department, said the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). 

During the weekly briefing, Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the information regarding the incarcerated Pakistani citizen is of a very 'serious nature' and assured the journalists present that Aafia's and “the welfare of all Pakistanis is our top priority”.

Yesterday, Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith disclosed on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that she has been subjected to sexual assault on two occasions during her incarceration in the US prison.

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Dreadfully sad today: Aafia ended our meeting sobbing, "I'm not going back to that cell & the sexual predators. Take me out of here. I'm innocent!" Over&Over&Over for 28 minutes before they made me leave. @Aafiamovement @FowziaSiddiqui @senatorMtalha @SenatorMushtaq

— Clive Stafford Smith (@CliveSSmith) December 5, 2023

Referring to Pakistan’s war on terror, Mumtaz said that the world has recognised measures taken by Pakistan against terrorism and terror financing. She added that Afghanistan was not the only point of agenda in focus during the ongoing meetings with American delegations this week.

On the issue of Afghanistan’s interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani allegedly holding a valid Pakistani passport, the spokesperson said she has just seen the report and would give answers “after the facts are revealed”.

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Referring to the alleged acid attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahzad Akbar in London, she said he has not sought help from the local high commission in the UK.

Akbar claimed on November 26 that he was targeted with an “acidic liquid” at his residence in Hertfordshire, where he currently resides in exile with his family.

Mumtaz, during her press conference, also firmly condemned India’s leadership and Home Minister Amit Shah’s ‘irresponsible’ statements regarding Kashmir.

🔴LIVE: Spokesperson's Weekly Press Briefing 07-12-23 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad https://t.co/12oS9NPDzw

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) December 7, 2023

Shah had said in India’s parliament that Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir “is an integral part of India”. The FO maintained that the Kashmir issue is still on the agenda at the United Nations (UN) as an unresolved matter.

Referring to the brutal Israeli assault on Gaza, Baloch strongly condemned the use of force by Israel against civilians and said Islamabad will "continue to Israel’s use of force in Gaza".