ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister signals ‘positive hopes’ for neuroscientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, as her case summary is sent to the Council of Europe for approval.
As reported by local media, the Council of Europe has started working on the case of Dr. Afia Siddiqui’s release. Once approved it would further require signature within 2 months, so that the process maybe followed.
According to the sources, on his trip to the US, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will raise the issue of the neurosurgeon while his visit. The FM sent the summary of Dr. Afia Siddiqui before Eid ul Azha after the approval from federal cabinet.
Sources claim, there is a fair chance that the neuroscientist may get a release sooner. Once the case officially gets underway in the Council of Europe, approval will be taken from the member countries including the US who has a role of observer. According to the rules and regulations approval need to be given within 2 months.
Afia Siddiqui was charged as criminal in March 2003 and was alleged for financing for Al Qauida and was placed in most wanted criminals by FBI. Subsequently, she vanished and was caught in Ghazni, Afghanistan. In September 2008 she was alleged to murder and assault the authorities of the US, although she denied.
Afia Siddiqui was charged 86 years of imprisonment in 2010 which resulted in protests in various parts of Pakistan in her favour. Her sister Fouzia Siddiqui hopes that she returns to Pakistan as soon as possible and for this purpose she has continuously been in contact with political and humanitarian organisations of the country.
She received her PhD in 2001 from Brandeis University and came to Pakistan in early 2003 before she was alleged to be associated with banished outfit.
