In a press conference at the Embassy of Pakistan, Malik said that he had raised the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui in his meeting with FBI Director Robert Mueller.
He said that Dr Siddiqui has an ailing mother and two children who were separated from her. When asked about the response he received from the FBI Director, Malik said that he has been given the understanding that this matter will be considered sympathetically.
Ruling out the chances of swapping Dr Shakil Afridi with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the interior minister said that he was talking about a mercy petition, and he understands that she has been convicted by a court. He said that he had also written a letter to the Attorney General of US on the matter and would release the contents of the letter on Saturday.
American participation in PTI march
US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman says that the US Embassy in Pakistan has been in touch with US citizens participating in the PTI Peace March to South Waziristan, and has informed them about the travel advisory issued by the US Government on traveling to that area.
Speaking to reporters after a nearly one-hour meeting with Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Ambassador Grossman said “They (the US citizens) are in no doubt on where we stand on this issue,” said Ambassador Grossman, adding that the US Embassy’s Charge D’ Affairs Ambassador Richard Hoagland had reached out to the US activists.
Ambassador Grossman said that Interior Minister Malik and he discussed the designation of the Haqqani Network, the issue of IEDs, counterterrorism and the region.
“Americans recognise who are victims of terrorism, Americans are victims of terrorism, but so many Pakistanis have lost their lives and given their lives in fighting terrorism,” said Ambassador Grossman.
Action against IEDs
Interior Minister Malik said that they were taking action on IEDs, and said that not only have they regulated the flow of fertiliser, but are also restricting its movement in certain areas. “IEDs is a very omni-available bombing device,” said the minister, and said that Pakistan’s National Counterterrorism IED strategy is working well, and that with Pakistan’s efforts, IEDs have been reduced considerably. The colour of the blood, whether that of someone from the US, Afghanistan or Pakistan, was the same, said Malik.
Malik said they were taking all legal and administrative measures, and that they were prepared to take additional measures. Ambassador Grossman said that the US wanted to support Pakistan’s policy on IEDs.
“It is not only Pakistan that is being blamed,” said Malik, adding that devices were being made in other countries as well.
Concerns on drones conveyed
Pakistan also urged the United States on "common counter-terrorism strategy against the common enemy," as Malik conveyed Islamabad's concerns on drone strikes in the tribal areas to senior American officials.
"We have a common enemy and we must have a common strategy to fight this enemy - Pakistan is committed with the international community in this fight -and we will hit them hard," Malik said standing next to Grossman after their meeting.
Malik acknowledged in a media interaction that there are reservations on the two sides, despite the fact that both have been victims of terror and have been fighting a common enemy in terrorists along the Afghan border. "Our side has conveyed our concerns regarding drone attacks - the people of Pakistan have been voicing this and we hope that this voice of the people of Pakistan will be heard," the Interior Minister said.
Later in the day, Malik met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He is also due to meet FBI Director Robert Mueller, and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and will participate in a meeting of the US-Pakistan working group on counterterrorism and law enforcement during his trip to the US capital.
COMMENTS (21)
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@Rationalist: Dear Rationalist, You are suggesting that Dr. Siddiqui is an American citizen and a convicted terrorist. Unfortunately, you are not quite correct. There is some doubt as to whether Dr. Siddiqui, who was born in Karachi, is a Pakistan citizen or has dual citizenship. Her family firmly assert that Dr. Siddiqui is a Pakistan citizen. All we know is that Dr. Siddiqui was given a fake trial, was not charged with terrorism and has not been convicted of terrorism. After being incarcerated and tortured for several years the best the Americans could charge the Doctor with is that she attempted to assault men who interrogated her. They said that she snatched a gun, but even US officials who gave testimony in the case admitted the Doctor's fingerprints were not on the gun. For this the Doctor was given 86 years in prison.
There are tens of thousands of Pakistanis incarcerated and spending jail sentence in just about every country in the world. So, why is this fatal fascination with Afia Siddiqi, an American citaen and a convicted terrorist? Why does the Pak establishement wants her back so badly?
@By Muslim: "Better than to free a terrorist". The above is a fairly open retort. Did you have anybody in mind?
@Sexton Blake: Better than to free a terrorist by Pakistani Courts.
@Thomas: Dear Thomas,
When you refer to "she" I can only presume you are referring to the eminent Dr. Aafi Siddiqui, who has not been accused of or tried on any terrorist charges. She was illegally arrested, and transferred to a US torture camp in Afghanistan. After several years of being tortured she supposedly got a little sick of it and attempted to attack the people torturing her. Of course we only have the interrogators word for it that she attacked them, and this was the charge for which she was sent to prison. Unfortunately for Dr. Siddiqui, she was eventually sent to America tried in a New York court, and found guilty by an American jury. For attacking her interrogators she has been sentenced to 86 years in prison. One would think that even if guilty she would have been given 12 months probation if tried in a civilized country. As for a swap with Dr. Shakil Afridi, it is my opinion that the Americans would be be very keen to cooperate and the day after Dr. Afridi arrived in the US he would be walking free.
Like Hafiz Saeed is serving a sentence in Pakistan? The "independent" judiciary will set her free the moment she sets foot in Pakistan. Its better she serves in USA. We don't need more jihadi heroes.
"“It is not only Pakistan that is being blamed,” said Malik, adding that devices were being made in other countries as well." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yeah for example whihc other country? Timbucktoo?
@Sami:
She is a covicted terrorist who helped other terrorists.
Another stupid statement from Rehman Baba. Why should we be burdened with Dr. Aafia and have to look after her for the next 86 years? She is an American citizen and has been punished under a system of justice that many right wing Mullah and religious parties hold up as an example. If she is brought here it will prove two things; 1. That the government is succumbing to pressure from the religious parties who have no backing at all except for their fanatic supporters and 2. That we would ourselves give reason for strikes, loot and killing on every Friday seeking her release. That must not happen.
Malik Sahib, do you have capacity to keep her behind bar if she is delivered to Pakistan to complete her sentence in the land of pure? She is considered as national icon like Dr. A Q Khan, Mumtaz Qadri and a great scientist who have been denied a Nobel prize due to Jew, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu conspiracy! Chhodo yaar; live in peace and let the rotten mind rot in some dingy cell elsewhere!
@Thoman,
Terrorist! how many people this terrorist have killed "Mr." Thomas?
India happy to accept Sarabjit Singh if he serves sentence here in India. Is this acceptable to honourable Malik Sahib
This is just pandering to please the pakistani public. FBI has nothing to do with the American court system. They can't release or transfer this terrorist to pakistan. She is going to rot in American prison and die there. Malik can pander all he wants, but she is going to serve out her sentence untill death.!!!
@M.Ahmer Ali: You obviously don't understand how drones even work if you can say that with a straight face. Though it explains a lot of the PTI supporter's ineptitude to anything more complicated than cricket metaphors.
I wish the Pakistani government takes care of Pakistani people as well as the American government takes care of its own people.
Only Americans are in danger? what about those Waziristan people who are in constant danger of getting missiled?
We are waiting for the day when Pakistani government becomes concerned about its citizens.
Yes Mr. Rehman Malick you are absolutely correct that blood has just Red color, be it of an American, Afghani or a Pakistani, however, the color had never been in dispute. It is only the volume of spilled blood that determines the aggressor and the tyrant.