Dr. Aafia Siddiqui Case: Recent Developments, Ishaq Dar’s Remarks, and Public Reaction
Introduction
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, has been imprisoned in the United States for over a decade. In 2008, she was sentenced to 86 years in prison by a New York federal district court for attempted murder and assault of U.S. military personnel in Afghanistan. She is currently serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Carswell in Texas. Her case has garnered significant attention in Pakistan, where many view her as a symbol of injustice by the U.S. Recent statements by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s meeting with Aafia’s sister have reignited discussions about her case.
Prime Minister’s Meeting with Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui
On July 25, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, in Islamabad. During the meeting, the Prime Minister assured that the Pakistani government would continue to provide all possible legal and diplomatic assistance in Dr. Aafia’s case. He stated, “The government is not negligent in addressing Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case.” Previously, the Prime Minister had written to former U.S. President Joe Biden, appealing for clemency on humanitarian grounds for Aafia’s release. Additionally, he formed a committee led by Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar to ensure progress in the matter and maintain coordination with Dr. Fauzia. This meeting came in the context of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issuing contempt of court notices to the federal cabinet regarding a petition about Aafia’s release, health, and repatriation.
Ishaq Dar’s Controversial Statement
On July 26, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addressed the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case during an event at the Atlantic Council in Washington. He referred to Aafia’s imprisonment as a result of a “legal process” and drew a comparison with the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan. Dar stated, “If the legal process has led to this outcome (Aafia’s imprisonment), it applies to everyone, with no exceptions.” He further urged that the issue should not be politicized. This statement sparked significant criticism in Pakistan, as it was perceived as contradictory to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assurances to Dr. Fauzia.
Public Reaction
قوم کی بیٹی مظلوم ڈاکٹر عافیہ کیساتھ یہ فراڈ،منافقت اور جھوٹ کا کاروبار بند کرو۔۔۔
کل فارم 47 کے وزیراعظم شہبازشریف کی ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی کی بہن ڈاکٹر فوزیہ صدیقی کو ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی کی رہائی کی یقین دہانیاں۔ اگلے دن اسحاق ڈار امریکہ میں بیٹھ کر ڈاکٹر عافیہ کو ایک کینگرو… pic.twitter.com/J19bqZeYzd— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan | سینیٹر مشتاق احمد خان (@SenatorMushtaq) July 26, 2025
Background and Recent Concerns
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case has long been a focal point for the Pakistani public and media. Many Pakistanis believe she was subjected to torture at Bagram Air Base after her alleged arrest in Karachi in 2003 and that the charges against her are fabricated. Following her sentencing, “Free Dr. Aafia” slogans echoed across Pakistan, with messages painted on walls.
Recently, serious concerns have emerged about Aafia’s health. In June 2024, her lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, claimed that Aafia is facing ongoing sexual harassment and physical abuse in the Texas prison. He stated that her mental and physical health is deteriorating rapidly, raising fears that she may attempt suicide.
Pakistani Government’s Efforts
The Pakistani government has periodically engaged with Dr. Aafia’s case. In 2009, then-Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani met Dr. Fauzia and promised action for Aafia’s release. The government paid $2 million to fund the legal defense of Aafia through three lawyers. In recent years, Pakistani officials have held consular meetings with U.S. authorities, raising concerns about Aafia’s medical care.
Conclusion
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case remains a deeply emotional and nationally significant issue for Pakistanis. While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Dr. Fauzia and his assurances have sparked hope, Ishaq Dar’s statements have cast a shadow over these efforts. The public’s reaction underscores the sensitivity of the case, with many linking it to Pakistan’s sovereignty and the rights of its citizens. Until there is progress in Aafia’s release or an improvement in her conditions, her case will continue to be a point of contention in Pakistan.
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