Govt seems unwilling to plead Aafia Siddiqui's case, says IHC
Pakistan
"It seems the government is helpless in this matter."
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Islamabad High Court has said the government does not want to do anything for the release of Aafia Siddiqui and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should facilitate Fauzia Siddiqui (Aafia s sister) on the legal front.
A hearing was held in the Islamabad High Court on the petition filed for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan heard the case and Dr Fauzia Siddiqui appeared before the court along with her lawyer.
The court inquired from the Additional Attorney General about the progress in the case. Munawar Iqbal Dogul told the court that the officials had met the acting US ambassador. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan remarked that it seemed it was only a coffee and cake meeting. “No idea what happened in this meeting as it is seventh or eighth hearing and the government does not want to do anything in this regard. We also have boundaries regarding the jurisdiction and we can only work within its limits,” he added.
The AAG said the issue of Aafia Siddiqui s release had been raised at the diplomatic level.
Fauzia Siddiqui s lawyer said it seemed that the government was helpless on the matter. "We have hired another lawyer in America for Aafia Siddiqui," he added.
The court directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate Fauzia Siddiqui on the legal front and ordered the officials to hold a meeting with her next week.
The AAG assured the court, "Aafia Siddiqui is our citizen and the government will help to the extent it can."
The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing on the petition filed for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US till March 17.
