Islamabad, The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has displayed increasing impatience with the Pakistani government’s inaction in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who has been detained for years in the United States. The court has suggested an action plan for her return should be formulated through a conference of judicial assistants and lawyers.

According to Aafia Movement, the IHC, led by Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, reviewed the progress or lack thereof in the case of Dr. Siddiqui. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, appearing via video link, informed the court that the Pakistani government has done little on a legal or interstate level to secure Dr. Siddiqui’s release or ensure the rights of Pakistani prisoners in the U.S.

The court emphasized the unique nature of the case, pointing out that both the government and petitioner, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, share the common objective of securing Aafia’s freedom. Rather than individual efforts, a coordinated approach involving a conference with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and American lawyer Clive Stafford Smith was advised to prepare an actionable plan.

Outside the court, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mushtaq Ahmad Khan conveyed his gratitude to the IHC for its active interest and expressed his belief that Dr. Siddiqui’s release could be achieved swiftly if Pakistani authorities exerted serious effort.

The case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who has become a symbol of legal and diplomatic struggle, remains a contentious issue between the United States and Pakistan. The IHC’s push for a concrete strategy to bring her back underlines the case’s ongoing significance and the growing urgency for resolution.