Aafia remarks 'taken out of context', says Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has clarified that his recent remarks about Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case, made in response to a question regarding ex-prime minister Imran Khan's legal situation at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, were being taken out of context.

In a statement posted on X, Dar said: "Yesterday, in response to a question about Imran Khan's case at the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, the reference to Dr Aafia Siddiqui's case is being taken out of context."

"During the tenures of PML-N governments, we have consistently provided all diplomatic and legal assistance for Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release, and we will continue to do so until the matter of her release is resolved."

Stressing the importance of respecting judicial systems, he explained that every country had its judicial and legal procedures, "which are to be respected, whether it is Pakistan or the US".

"Our government's stance on the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release is clear and unequivocal," the foreign minister maintained.

Currently on an official visit to the United States, FM Dar had addressed the Atlantic Council think tank in Washington, DC.

While responding to a question regarding former prime minister Imran Khan's imprisonment, Dar had referred to Dr Siddiqui to underscore the principle of respecting judicial processes.

He said that Pakistan had not interfered in Dr Siddiqui's case because "the Americans had followed their judicial system".

Similarly, he added, Imran Khan had been sentenced by Pakistan's judiciary after due legal process. "When the due process is followed, others do not have the right to interfere," he said.

The remarks were sharply criticised by Dr Siddiqui's legal team, with her lawyer calling the comparison "idiotic".