On Friday, Pakistan has officially sought a presidential pardon for neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently imprisoned in the United States. The request was made during a hearing at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on a case related to her repatriation.
The additional attorney general of Pakistan (AAGP), Munawar Dogal, informed the IHC bench, led by Justice Aijaz Ishaq, that the government of Pakistan had taken formal steps to appeal for Dr. Siddiqui’s release. “The Pakistan government has penned a letter to the US president to seek pardon for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui”, Dogal stated during the hearing.
He further confirmed that Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif had written directly to President Joe Biden, asking for clemency for the neuroscientist. This development comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Pakistani government to secure Dr. Siddiqui’s release and bring her back to the country.
Also read: Pakistan Govt To File Clemency Appeal For Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s Release In USA
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years in prison by a US court in 2010 on charges of attempting to kill US personnel in Afghanistan. Her case has since drawn significant attention and sparked protests in Pakistan, where many regard her as wrongfully imprisoned.
The Islamabad High Court is continuing its review of the case, with further hearings expected as Pakistan seeks to negotiate her repatriation.
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