Assures sister of full legal and diplomatic backing amid rising pressure from IHC
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, assuring her sister, Dr Fouzia Siddiqui, of all possible legal and diplomatic assistance in the ongoing efforts.
The assurance came during a meeting held in Islamabad, just days after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued contempt notices to the prime minister and several federal ministers over their failure to submit a response in Dr Aafia’s case. The court had expressed frustration over the lack of progress regarding her release, repatriation, and health status.
Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, was convicted in 2010 by a U.S. court for the attempted murder of American personnel in Afghanistan. She is currently serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Carswell in Texas.
The IHC, in a strongly worded order issued on July 12, criticized the federal government’s inaction and warned that the entire cabinet could be summoned if a report was not submitted promptly. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq, presiding over the matter, noted that the government had appealed against his earlier ruling that allowed amendments to the petition—but the Supreme Court has yet to take up the matter.
Despite this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif insisted during the meeting that the government is not neglecting the case. According to an official statement from the PM Office, Pakistan has consistently extended both legal and diplomatic support in Dr Aafia’s case.
The statement further noted that Prime Minister Sharif had personally written to then-U.S. President Joe Biden, appealing for Dr Aafia’s release. In addition, a special committee headed by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar has been formed to pursue the matter further.
The committee will remain in regular contact with Dr Fouzia Siddiqui and offer her continued support, the PM Office confirmed.
In a separate engagement on Friday, the prime minister also chaired a high-level review meeting focused on the appointment of technical experts in federal ministries and departments. The session also reviewed strategies to boost foreign investment in key sectors.
