PM Shehbaz writes to US President for Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s release from jail
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has written a letter to US President Joe Biden seeking clemency for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who has been languishing in American detention for years.
It was revealed when Islamabad High Court’s Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan was hearing a petition filed by Fauzia Siddiqui seeking Dr. Aafia’s release from an American prison and her repatriation. Additional Attorney General Manzoor Iqbal appeared in court.
During the proceedings, the additional attorney general informed the court that the government of Pakistan has sent a letter to the US President requesting clemency for Dr. Aafia.
He said the letter for clemency was written by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Earlier this year, Dr Aafia’s attorney Clive Stafford Smith revealed that her client continued to suffer sexual assault at Fort Worth, Texas jail.
American council representing Pakistani national – who is serving an 86-year sentence – had reported that Siddiqui continued to face ongoing sexual harassment, including a recent incident two weeks ago where a security guard allegedly raped her as punishment.
After meeting with Dr Aafia, Stafford Smith said sexual abuse had not stopped so far and that she was being consistently subjected to physical harassment.
