Former US President Joe Biden has denied the clemency appeal of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who continues to serve her sentence in the United States.
This information was shared with the Islamabad High Court during a hearing regarding Dr. Siddiqui’s petition for her release and repatriation to Pakistan.
During the court session, Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan was informed that despite allowing the release of five convicted individuals, Biden chose not to include Dr. Siddiqui on the list.
Dr. Fozia Siddiqui, Aafia’s sister, along with her American lawyer, Clive Smith, attended the hearing via video link, while the petitioner’s lawyer, Imran Shafiq, and the Additional Attorney General were physically present in court.
Justice Ishaq Khan expressed his dismay over the situation: “America is showing us our place. The former US president released his son, but refused to release our prisoner.”
This comment highlighted the frustration of Pakistani officials over the lack of progress in securing Dr. Siddiqui’s release despite diplomatic efforts.
A report was also presented to the court outlining the foreign visits of Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
It revealed that Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States had not attended meetings concerning Dr. Siddiqui’s case. Additionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted its response to the court’s inquiries.
Dr. Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist, was convicted in 2010 in the United States on charges of attempting to kill US military personnel while in Afghan custody.
Her case has long been a source of tension in US-Pakistan relations, with widespread calls in Pakistan for her release and return.
In his final days in office, President Biden granted clemency to five individuals; however, Dr. Siddiqui’s name was notably absent, despite her appeal for a presidential pardon.
The Islamabad High Court has postponed the two-week hearing as legal proceedings continue.
