Govt to reengage with US for Aafia’s return: Dar

Says Aafia can serves her sentence in Pakistan as well and US administration will be approached for her repatriation

Leader of the House in the Senate, Ishaq Dar, announced on Thursday plans to reengage with the United States government in a bid to secure the return of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national currently held in US custody.

Speaking during a Senate session, Dar underscored the government's commitment to prioritise efforts aimed at repatriating Siddiqui to her homeland. Recounting past attempts, Dar lamented the lack of progress despite extensive engagement during his government's tenure in 2013.

"In 2013, we interacted with US officials, and prime minister Nawaz Sharif personally appealed in the Oval Office of the White House," Dar remarked, expressing regret over the outcome of those efforts.

Highlighting his personal involvement, Dar shared, "I had three detailed meetings with Antony Blinken, where I tirelessly advocated for the return of our compatriot to Pakistan, but unfortunately, no progress was made."

Read more: Bring Aafia home

He said that this issue would be the priority agenda of the new cabinet, and all efforts would be made to engage the US administration afresh on this issue.

Dar said that her sentence could be served in Pakistan as well, and the US administration would be requested to shift her to Pakistan.

Turning to his colleagues for support and counsel, Dar sought input from Senator Mushtaq Ahmad on the matter. Ahmad revealed that upon his return from a recent visit to the United States, he had proposed four political options regarding Siddiqui's repatriation.

"I intend to present a letter containing these four political options to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar," Ahmad disclosed, emphasising the urgency of finding a resolution to the issue.