ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Friday that US President Joe Biden was yet to respond to a letter written to him by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the issue of jailed Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
IHC Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard Dr Siddiqui’s application for release and repatriation filed by her sister Dr Fawzia Siddiqui. Dr. Siddiqui is currently in a US prison after being convicted on several charges.
The court asked what could be deduced from the fact that the chief executive of a country had written a letter and received no response. However, the judge noted that the United States was a sovereign country and could refuse even the visa of Dr. Fawzia Siddiqui or the prime minister.
The judge directed the additional attorney general to take up the matter at the diplomatic level. He further commented that Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States and the Pakistani delegation should have met with Joe Biden’s administration officials.
During the hearing, American lawyer Clive Smith, who represented Dr Aafia Siddiqui in the United States, presented a statement. The Foreign Ministry lawyer informed the court that the Pakistani mission in the United States had completed preparations for the delegation’s meeting with Dr Siddiqui.
The court sought details of the foreign visits of the prime minister and the foreign minister since Dr Siddiqui’s clemency application in the United States. The court adjourned the hearing until January 13.
