ISLAMABAD: The Additional Attorney General (AAG) informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the summary of financial support for a delegation, which consists of neuroscientist Dr. The task of freeing Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently in jail, has been entrusted. The United States
AAG Barrister Manoor Iqbal Dogal made this statement in the court during the hearing of the application regarding efforts to bring Aafia back to Pakistan. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan of Islamabad High Court heard the petition filed by Dr. Aafia’s sister Fauzia Siddiqui.
AAG told the court that Senator Irfan Siddiqui will not be a part of the delegation due to his personal commitments, Senator Bushra Bibi will take his place. Dr. Aafia was sentenced to 86 years in prison in Afghanistan in 2010 for attempted murder and assaulting US officials. She is serving a sentence at Carsville, a maximum-security prison in Fort Worth, Texas.
In October, the federal government had informed the IHC that a delegation was being sent to the US to seek Dr. Aafia’s release. At the start of today’s hearing, a representative of the Foreign Office told the court that visa applications for Pakistani officials had been submitted to the relevant US authorities and expressed hope that their applications would be approved soon. He informed the IHC that the FO is providing all possible assistance to Dr Fauzia. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till January 13.