Islamabad, The Islamabad High Court (IHC), presided over by Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaque, deferred the hearing concerning the health, well-being, and repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to November 17. This decision comes in response to a constitutional petition (3139/2015) presented on her behalf. The Aafia Movement relayed this update via a press release today.

Advocate Imran Shafique represented the petitioner during the proceedings. Clive Stafford Smith, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s attorney in the USA, sought the court’s approval to push the hearing to November 15, citing ongoing efforts regarding her case in the US. Acknowledging his plea, the court decided to reschedule the hearing for November 17 instead.

Following the court session, the lawyer shared with the media their endeavours to address the health, life, and repatriation concerns of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. He emphasized that the government is actively participating in these efforts. Furthermore, the court has previously instructed the government to take comprehensive measures in this matter.

However, concerns about Dr. Siddiqui’s present conditions in prison were raised. According to her current physician, she has been deprived of basic amenities like commissary access, email, and phone calls, enduring dire incarceration conditions.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, addressing the situation, highlighted that among all detainees in US prisons, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s circumstances are the most distressing. Stressing her prolonged detention of over 7,500 days, he attributed her plight to the negligence of consecutive Pakistani administrations. Senator Khan proposed several avenues, such as filing a review petition and invoking humanitarian grounds, to expedite Dr. Siddiqui’s repatriation. He expressed disappointment that, despite his urging during Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar’s visit to the US, the interim government did not actively pursue Dr. Siddiqui’s case. Khan urged the government to delineate a clear strategy for her release. He announced his plans, along with Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, to visit the US in December to undertake any possible legal actions for Dr. Siddiqui’s release. Senator Khan called for immediate and tangible governmental efforts and appealed to the Pakistani populace to pressurize their leaders for the prompt release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.