Pakistani scientist to be released from US prison!

Photo: Collected

Published: 03:48 19 January 2025
Psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Zaidi, a member of the delegation that went to the US to lobby for the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is in US prison, has expressed hope that she will be released in the next few days. He said that Dr. Aafia is suffering from serious health problems, which is an important reason for her release process.
Dr. Zaidi also said that outgoing US President Joe Biden is expected to decide to reduce Aafia's sentence before he leaves office. However, if Biden does not take such a step, the Pakistani government will contact the new President Donald Trump in this regard.
Dr. Zaidi said that the Pakistani delegation, which included three members, went to the US to lobby for Aafia's release. Although they planned to meet President Biden, they could not meet due to visa issues. Instead, the delegation held discussions with senators and State Department officials.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has written to Joe Biden urging him to release Dr. Aafia on humanitarian grounds.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has been in a US prison for 16 years, where she has been sentenced to 86 years in prison for attempted murder, although the maximum sentence for such a crime under US law is 10 years. She has been separated from her children for 20 years. While her two children, Ahmed and Maryam, were released in 2008 and 2010 respectively, the whereabouts of one of her sons, Sulaiman, are still unknown.
Dr. Zaidi also noted that Dr. Aafia’s release would be a big deal for the 250 million citizens of the Muslim world, including Pakistan, and would help improve America’s international image.
Dr. Aafia is a familiar name to the people of Pakistan and the Muslim world, and there is a strong expectation for her release.
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