Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
A clemency petition advocating the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving an 86-year sentence in the United States, has been officially submitted to the White House.
Advocates have called on President Joe Biden to prioritize her case and consider granting her clemency before his term ends on January 20, 2025, as confirmed by reliable sources in Washington.
The clemency campaign gained momentum following the visit of a Pakistani delegation to the U.S., led by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt. The delegation, which included Senator Talha Mehmood and psychiatrist Dr. Iqbal Afridi, embarked on this mission on the directive of the Islamabad High Court.
Their goal was to engage with U.S. lawmakers and officials to advocate for Dr. Siddiqui’s release on humanitarian grounds.
During their trip, the delegation met with prominent U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Jim McGovern, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Senator Chris Van Hollen.
They also held discussions with Elizabeth Horst, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, to explore legal and diplomatic avenues for Siddiqui’s release. The team emphasized the urgency of the clemency plea, highlighting her deteriorating health and prolonged imprisonment.
The delegation also visited Dr. Siddiqui at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she is incarcerated. The meeting lasted three hours, during which they discussed her health and living conditions.
Senator Talha Mehmood expressed optimism about the case, stating that their meeting with her was encouraging. He revealed that her clemency request is among over 60 pending cases on President Biden’s desk, urging the president to approach her situation with compassion.
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), a U.S.-based advocacy organization, has extended its support to these efforts. Following a meeting with Senator Van Hollen, Senator Butt described the initiative as part of a larger, sustained diplomatic effort led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who has previously called on President Biden to grant clemency for Dr. Siddiqui due to her fragile health.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, born in Karachi, moved to the U.S. in 1990 on a student visa and earned a doctorate in neuroscience. She was later accused of terrorism-related activities and convicted in 2010 in a trial widely regarded as controversial.
Her case has sparked significant protests in Pakistan, where many view her as a victim of injustice and a symbol of resistance.
Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, suggested that the issue could have political implications.
With the upcoming transition of power to Donald Trump’s administration, there may be pressure from Imran Khan’s supporters to negotiate a deal for Siddiqui’s release, potentially adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
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