News Desk

TEXAS: A Pakistani delegation, upon the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has held an hours-long meeting with imprisoned Dr Aafia Siddiqui who has been languishing in US prison for more than 10 years.

The meeting, which continued for around three hours, took place at the US prison where Dr Aafia is incarcerated and was attended by Senators Bushra Anjum and Talha Mahmood along with psychiatrist Dr Iqbal Afridi.

During the meeting, as per Senator Bushra, the Pakistani scientist apprised the delegation of the hardships she endured during incarceration. However, Dr Aafia expressed hope for justice and faith in God’s mercy , added the lawmaker.

The Pakistani neuroscientist was handed down an 86-year sentence in 2010 on charges of attempted murder and assault of US personnel in Afghanistan jail. She is serving the jail term in Carswell, a high-security prison in, Fort Worth, Texas which houses female inmates of all security levels.

The delegation’s visit is part of Pakistan’s efforts to secure Dr Aafia’s release which has time again urged Washington to consider and re-evaluate her case.

Apart from meeting the incarcerated scientist, the Pakistani delegation also met US Congress and State Department officials urging them to release her.

During their meetings with US officials, the delegation emphasised that her release could be granted on humanitarian grounds, with some members of Congress pledging their support for the cause. However, some others rejected the request.

“Talks with US authorities for the release of Aafia [Siddiqui] were positive [….] It is hoped that the US government will decide on the release of Dr Aafia before January 20 [Inauguration Day for President-elect Donald Trump,” said Senator Bushra.

The lawmaker, while recalling the pardoning of several prisoners by US President Joe Biden, noted that there was optimism that Dr Aafia’s release could be possible before the end of the US president’s current term.