ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday met with Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, the sister of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui who is jailed in the US, and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing all possible legal and diplomatic support in the high-profile case, the PM’s Office said.
Siddiqui, a Pakistani national, is currently serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States after being convicted in 2010 of attempted murder of US personnel in Afghanistan. Her trial and detention have long sparked public outcry in Pakistan, with successive governments under pressure to secure her repatriation.
“The government is in no way negligent in the matter of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui,” Sharif was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office after he met Fauzia and assured her that his administration would “continue to provide every possible legal and diplomatic assistance” in her sister’s case.
The Prime Minister’s Office said Sharif had earlier written a letter to then-US President Joe Biden to urge action in the matter. He has now also formed a special committee, chaired by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, to pursue further progress on the case.
“The committee will remain in contact with Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui and work to provide any necessary support,” the statement said.
