Holbrooke holds out assurance for early release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has said Dr Aafia is daughter of Pakistan and her return to Pakistan is a very vital issue adding serous efforts are being made at every level in this connection.

Prime Minister said this while talking to Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr Aafia SiddiquiAafia Siddiqui in connection with latter’s release and her return to home. Dr Fauzia Siddiqui called on the prime minister in Prime Minister House here Tuesday.

He told Pakistan embassy in US was playing vital role in this regard and all Pakistanis including Dr Aafia Siddiqui would be brought back to Pakistan. Dr Aafia Siddiqui case was subjudice in US and State department and justice department was fully aware of Pakistan stance. This issue would be soon addressed, he added. Foreign office and Pakistan ambassador in US were in contact with US authorities, he indicated. Dr Aafia Siddiqui and all Pakistanis in US jails would soon be got released, he assured.

Earlier Dr Fauzia Siddiqui told Online Dr Aafia was innocent and she was punished being Muslim and Pakistani. She was meted out inhuman treatment during her imprisonment. “My meeting with prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani remained productive. Prime Minister has assured me that foreign office and Pakistani ambassador in US were in constant contact with US authorities and soon positive result would come out”, she added.

Well-placed sources told Online Dr Fauzia Siddiqui also met new US special envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke. She told him the way he had come to Pakistan for the protection of US interest, he should also keep in view Pakistan interests and focus on the basic issues for the sake of improvement of relations between the two countries. Early release of Pakistani prisoners in US prisons besides ensuring their return to Pakistan were most critical issues, she stressed.

She told that her sister Dr Aafia Siddiqui was kept in US prison despite being innocent. Every inhuman treatment was meted out to her. Her videos were developed in brutal way, she added. But she is still facing difficulties in seeking justice. New US administration and Richard Holbrooke should help in securing her release, she appealed.

Richard Holbrooke held out assurance to Dr Fauzia Siddiqui to provide full justice to her sister Dr Aafia Siddiqui, just investigation into her case and her early release.

SOURCE: www.draafia.org