The foreign minister stated that only Afia Siddiqui herself can appeal for her release and she has agreed to do so.
Lahore (Pakistan Point News – 8th May, 2019) Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Aafia Siddiqui has agreed to file an appeal in the US court against her sentence.
The foreign minister said this in a Senate session held under Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Wednesday.
Queshi submitted a written reply on Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s issue in the Senate.
The written reply read that the Pakistani government is in constant contact with the US administration regarding Aafia Siddiqui’s return.
He said that the Pakistani government has given an application to the US authorities for Dr Aafia’s release.
The foreign minister further stated that only Afia Siddiqui herself can appeal for her release and she has agreed to do so.
He said that only the US court can decide about releasing Aafia Siddiqui.
Aafia Siddiqui was indicted by a New York Federal district court in September, 2008 on charges of attempted murder and assault stemming from an incident in an interview with US authorities in Ghazni, charges which she denied.
After 18 months in detention, she was tried and convicted in early 2010 and sentenced to 86 years in prison.
There have been media reports that Dr Aafia Siddiqui will soon return home.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had also said that the government is trying hard to get Dr Aafia back home and prayed that Allah succeed them in their efforts.
