Karachi: The Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) organized a protest at the Karachi Press Club to mark the anniversary of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s sentencing to 86 years in prison, which party Chairman Altaf Shakoor described as a “dark day in the history of human rights.”

According to Pasban Democratic Party, on September 23, 2010, Dr. Aafia was handed an unjust sentence by American Judge Richard Berman, an act Shakoor claims “killed law and justice.” He criticized the successive Pakistani governments for their passive stance and failure to advocate for her release. Shakoor called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address Dr. Aafia’s case during his upcoming visit to the United States and urged global citizens to support her cause.

The demonstration, led by PDP Vice Chairman Abdul Hakeem Quaid, saw participation from various sectors including guards, officials, workers, and civil society leaders. Shakoor emphasized the need for strong international voices to challenge Dr. Aafia’s imprisonment, which he claims involves severe mistreatment.