“Pakistani leaders have lied to the whole nation regarding Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui and articles 62 and 63 of the constitution of Pakistan be brought into force against them,” said Aafia Movement leader and noted neurophysician Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, while addressing a crowded press conference at her residence here on Sunday.
She said that January 19th 2017 was a black day in the history of Pakistan, when Pakistani leaders once again betrayed a daughter of the nation. “They missed a golden opportunity that would have given them dignity and a much needed boost to the morale of the Pakistani people,” Dr Fowzia Siddiui added.
She regretted the double standards that the leaders have, safeguarding interests of politicians, and not those of common citizens, demanding the government to discharge its responsibilities as per the constitution of Pakistan.
She emphasized that securing the release of Aafia should be the first and foremost priority of the civilian democratic government because her sufferings are the result of the illegal and inhuman act of a dictator.
“Successive governments have lied and deceived the nation in the Aafia case and these sitting and former rulers should be indicted under articles 62 and 63 of the constitution,” Dr Fowzia maintained.
“If the Nawaz government is actually taking incredible steps to repatriate Aafia, why have they failed to take myself or our attorneys into confidence? Why were they barking up the wrong tree when all we had requested was a simple letter? We did everything ourselves and handed a golden opportunity to the government. Their impotence is sickening. It is a bitter fact. In any other county the parliament would have made the prime minister and president resign for such a treacherous deception.”
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui also dismissed claims that Aafia will be brought back through a barter system.
She categorically said that it is the duty of the Pakistani government to bring back Aafia, to create the means with dignity and honour that she deserves, and to restore the self-esteem of the Pakistani nation. “How they do it, is their duty,” the doctor claimed. “We provided the means which they failed to execute. Now they have to fess up and show their political will and determination that they speak of. We want to make it clear that no traitor or mercenary should be allowed to leave the country without a prior return of Aafia.”
She said that her family had been going through the ordeal for almost 14 years our family has been going through this ordeal, which was like a never ending roller coaster ride filled with bitter facts, political insensitivity, and the betrayal of our leaders due to their selfish and defeatist attitude.
“Yet Aafia’s support continues to gain momentum and she continues to live in the hearts of the people. Today hundreds of thousands of people are being patient and supporting us morally and emotionally. We request them to remain peaceful. We will protest and we will struggle for the innocent and oppressed wherever they may be, we request unity and a combined effort. We will succeed.” Dr Fowzia Siddiqui claimed.
Recalling the missed opportunity, she said that President Obama announced 330 commutations on his last day in office.
“Aafia could also have been one of them. She hurt no one and her harsh sentence deserved clemency too. But we will never know because our government remained mum.”
“We are in no way disheartened, our hopes remain high. Aafia is an innocent woman who needs justice and freedom and is suffering because of the faulty and defeatist policies of our government. Our struggle is for the oppressed, for peace, unity, and freedom. We are now more determined than before.”
Regarding the new administration in the US, she said that Aafia’s case is not dependent on any individual.
“It is human at its core and universal in appeal. President Trump claims to make America great again. Indeed the first step to greatness is justice and mercy. We will appeal to president Trump for justice through the merits of Aafia’s case which speak for it. Her grotesque inhuman torture and her captivity speak volumes.”
She lauded the efforts put by Jamaat e Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq and JI women wing during the last crucial hours for a letter that they sent. She thanked president Pasban e Pakistan Altaf Shakoor and his party for their untiring support, as well as the Human Rights Network (HRN), and Aafia Movement supporters worldwide. She specially mentioned Aafia Foundation USA, AF UK, Lord Nazir, Yvonne Ridley, Rashid, Zeina Mauri Salaakhan, and their lawyers Stephen Downs and Kathy Manley.
She also thanked the people of KPK and Balochistan who have already announced long marches and sit-ins, and the people of Sindh and Punjab whose blood is boiling. “I call for peace and for a dignified tangible protest, to bring our sister home. Together we can.”
Pasban President Altaf Shakoor said on the occasion that the sitting rulers have harmed their political credibility by shying away from writing a simple letter. He said that Nawaz Sharif himself had promised to have Aafia freed within 100 days. He said that these lies rendered the rulers disqualified automatically. He said that even more peaceful protests will be staged to raise Aafia’s issue.
HRN Karachi Chapter President Intikhab Alam Soori said that the irresponsible attitude of the rulers has now fully exposed them. He said that Dr Aafia along with her children had been kidnapped from Pakistan, trafficked to Afghanistan, and then illegally shifted to the USA.
He said that the 86-year imprisonment of Aafia had only brought a disgrace to the US and its people.
