ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage with the US ambassador to seek clarification on why the White House has not responded to a letter from the Pakistani Prime Minister concerning the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
According to a statement by Aafia Movement, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaque Khan presided over the hearing of a constitutional petition filed by Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui regarding her sister’s detention in the United States. The court issued an order expressing skepticism over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ explanation for the delay in submitting comments from the Pakistan Embassy, citing the Foreign Secretary’s absence as unconvincing.
The court noted that the Ministry had not yet provided a list of foreign visits mentioned in the proceedings. The order mandates that the Ministry submit this information, along with a copy of the embassy’s reply, within three working days, ensuring both the petitioner and the amicus receive it.
The Ministry has reported that no response has been received to the Prime Minister’s letter to President Joe Biden, a situation the court described as unusual given standard diplomatic practices. A reminder sent by the Pakistan Embassy has also gone unanswered.
The court has ordered the Ministry to document the reminder and approach the US ambassador in Pakistan to determine why the letter has been ignored. The Ministry must report back on this engagement by the end of the next business day, with a subsequent hearing scheduled for January 24, 2025.