Why Biden snubbed Shehbaz's letter?
The capital's high court has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to inquire from the US ambassador in Pakistan into the reasons as to why the US president did not think it necessary to respond to a letter of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking a pardon for Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
In an order sheet issued on Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) noted that during hearing of a petition filed by Dr Aafia's sister Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, MoFA told the court that the government had not received a reply to PM Shehbaz letter sent to US President Joe Biden with regard to Dr Aafia.
MoFA also stated that a reminder of the letter was also sent by the Pakistan Embassy in Washington but apparently no reply to that reminder has been given either. The court noted that it is rather unusual, given the diplomatic norms.
While directing the ministry to submit a copy of that reminder, the court directed it to ensure that the US ambassadorpermanent or acting in Pakistan is approached to inquire into the reason as to why the White House did not "considered it fit and appropriate" to respond to the PM's letter in an apparent disregard of the diplomatic norms.
"[MoFA must] ensure that the contact with the US ambassador is made no later than close of business tomorrow [Wednesday]. In its reply, MoFA will also add a section in relation to the compliance of this order and the response of the US ambassador in this regard," it added. The IHC single-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan will resume hearing the case on January 24.
PM Shehbaz Sharif in October last year wrote a letter to US President Biden requesting the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is imprisoned in the US for around two decades.
In the letter, PM Shehbaz had urged President Biden to use his constitutional authority to grant a pardon and order her release on humanitarian grounds, adding that Dr Aafia's family, along with millions of Pakistanis, were awaiting this act of kindness.
The PM had noted that over the years, Pakistani officials have held consular meetings with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, during which serious concerns about her medical treatment have been raised.
There are significant worries regarding her deteriorating mental and physical health, and concerns have been expressed that she may take her own life. Dr Aafia's case should be viewed with compassion, he said.
Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, became a polarizing figure after her arrest in 2008 in Afghanistan. She was accused of attempting to shoot US military personnel while in custody.
She was later extradited to the US. In 2010, a US federal court convicted her of attempted murder and assault, sentencing her to 86 years in prison.