–Spokesman says PM’s China visit strengthened bilateral relations
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that Pakistan has raised the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s release with the United States (US), however, no decision has yet been taken in this regard.
Siddiqui has been behind bars since 2010 on charges of attempted murder and mounting an assault on US military personnel and is serving an 86-year sentence at the Federal Medical Centre, Carswell, Fort Worth in Texas.
In a media briefing, FO spokesman Dr Muhammad Faisal said, “Since a decision has not been taken regarding her release, we cannot say when she will be freed.”
Pakistan has been raising the issue with the US on a regular basis, the Foreign Office (FO) said on Wednesday.
The issue was also raised by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Tuesday’s meeting with US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells.
“Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston Ayesha Farooqui regularly visits Siddiqui to inquire on her wellbeing, as well as, to convey any of her messages to family,” the FO statement read.
FM Qureshi is also set to meet Siddiqui’s sister in Islamabad soon.
The Foreign Office representative also touched upon the prime minister’s visit to China, adding that the trip had “strengthened bilateral relations” between the two neighbouring countries.
“The premier visited the country on the invitation of his Chinese counterpart,” he said.
Further, he also condemned a wave of atrocities in Indian occupied Kashmir: “A parliamentary group in the British Parliament issued a damning report accusing India of mass murder of Kashmiris.”
He added that this is the second such report, the first having been released by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
“The report recommends that an investigative committee should visit the occupied valley.”