IHC advises diplomacy for Aafia's release

PM's letter to Biden awaits reply, court informed

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Friday that the US President Joe Biden had not yet responded to a letter written to him by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the issue of jailed Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

IHC Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard the application for the release and repatriation of Dr Siddiqui moved by her sister Dr Fawzia Siddiqui. Dr Siddiqui is currently in a US jail following her conviction on various charges.

The court expressed wonder what could be gathered from the fact that a country's chief executive had written a letter and there was no response. However, the judge remarked that the US was a sovereign country, it could reject even the visa of Dr Fawzia Siddiqui or the prime minister.

The judge told the additional attorney general to take up the matter at the diplomatic level. He further remarked that the Pakistan's ambassador to the US and the Pakistani delegation should have met with the Joe Biden administration officials.

During the hearing, a declaration was submitted by American lawyer Clive Smith, who represented Dr Aafia Siddiqui in the US. The foreign ministry's lawyer informed the court that the Pakistani mission in the US had completed arrangements for the delegation's meeting with Dr Siddiqui.

The court sought details of the foreign visits by the prime minister and foreign minister since Dr Siddiqui's pardon application in the US. The court adjourned the hearing till January 13.