Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court expressed frustration with the Pakistan government’s reluctance to assist Aafia Siddiqui, known as the “Daughter of the Nation,” who has been imprisoned for 22 years under contentious circumstances. Justice Ijaz Sardar Khan criticized the government’s failure to formally acknowledge its refusal to support Siddiqui and ordered government officials, including the Prime Minister, to appear in court next week to clarify their position or risk contempt charges.
Aafia Siddiqui’s case is considered a significant controversy stemming from the ‘War on Terror.’ She was reportedly sold for a bounty to the CIA in 2003, abducted with her children from Karachi, and subjected to torture at Bagram Air Force Base. The conditions of her imprisonment and the uncertain fate of her children have drawn widespread criticism.
Siddiqui was accused of attempted murder in Afghanistan in 2008, a charge that led to an 86-year sentence in the United States, despite the contested nature of the allegations. Her legal team has sought the Pakistan government’s intervention through “amicus curiae” briefs, a common practice where a party assists a court by offering information or expertise.
The Pakistan government has previously utilized such interventions, as in the case of Türkiye Halk Bankasi A.S., but has shown no willingness to support Siddiqui similarly. Her legal counsel, Clive Stafford Smith, expressed disappointment over the government’s lack of action, emphasizing the urgent need for intervention to protect Siddiqui from alleged abuses in prison.
Efforts to secure Siddiqui’s rights, including protection from sexual abuse and access to religious counsel, have been thwarted by the government’s inaction, leading to a federal court in Dallas denying her any relief. Her legal team plans to seek compassionate release in New York, urging the Pakistan government to support this appeal without acknowledging past complicity.
Despite approval of a proposed brief by Pakistan’s Attorney General, the government has refrained from filing it, leaving Siddiqui’s legal team without official support. Clive Stafford Smith criticized the government’s stance, questioning its commitment to protecting its citizens.
The upcoming court session will be a pivotal moment in determining whether the Pakistan government will provide the necessary support for Aafia Siddiqui or continue to distance itself from her case.