SCBA urges government to seek Dr Aafia’s release
LAHORE:
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday held a protest demonstration at the GPO Chowk for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
A number of lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and students gathered, carrying placards inscribed with anti-American slogans. Speaking at the gathering, Raja Zulqarnain, the SCBA secretary, said the lawyers will continue their protest against American authorities until Dr Aafia was released. Muhammad Azhar Siddique, chairman of the Judicial Activism Panel, said Aafia’s trial was in violation of the international law. He said she was arrested from Pakistan and news of her detention was withheld for over seven years. Hence, he added, she should be tried in a Pakistani court. Dr Amina Masood Janjua, chairperson of the Defense of Human Rights, pointed out that innocent people routinely went missing in the country and the government had turned a blind eye to the issue. “Dr Aafia’s case is no different,” she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2010.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday held a protest demonstration at the GPO Chowk for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
A number of lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers and students gathered, carrying placards inscribed with anti-American slogans. Speaking at the gathering, Raja Zulqarnain, the SCBA secretary, said the lawyers will continue their protest against American authorities until Dr Aafia was released. Muhammad Azhar Siddique, chairman of the Judicial Activism Panel, said Aafia’s trial was in violation of the international law. He said she was arrested from Pakistan and news of her detention was withheld for over seven years. Hence, he added, she should be tried in a Pakistani court. Dr Amina Masood Janjua, chairperson of the Defense of Human Rights, pointed out that innocent people routinely went missing in the country and the government had turned a blind eye to the issue. “Dr Aafia’s case is no different,” she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 25th, 2010.