Islamabad: In a significant turn in the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui repatriation case, the Islamabad High Court has raised critical questions regarding the authority under which Pakistani agencies apprehended Siddiqui and her three children in March 2003 and subsequently handed them over to the United States. The court has demanded a report from the government, seeking clarity on the actions taken more than two decades ago.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, during the court proceedings on August 26, 2024, the Attorney General argued that Dr. Siddiqui’s abduction and her repatriation are separate cases and should not be conflated. However, the court did not accept this separation, highlighting the interconnectedness of the historical context to her current plight. The court’s inquiry comes amidst concerns about Siddiqui’s deteriorating health in an American prison, where she reportedly suffers from severe memory loss, impaired hearing and vision, and weighs only 40 kg due to alleged brutal torture.

The involvement of Clive Stafford Smith, Dr. Siddiqui’s lawyer in the United States, was noted as pivotal when he questioned the role of Pakistani agencies in her abduction. This shift in focus was met with silence from the petitioner’s counsel, raising questions about the strategic approach to Siddiqui’s repatriation. Human rights activists, including Abdullah Mansoor, argue that revisiting the abduction details may complicate and delay her release, advocating instead for a focus on immediate humanitarian relief.

The ongoing legal discussions reveal the complex layers of international law, human rights, and diplomatic relations entangled in Siddiqui’s case. The Islamabad High Court’s continued scrutiny of the historical details underscores the profound challenges in addressing cases that cross geopolitical and human rights boundaries.