Biden Rejects Aafia Siddiqui’s Clemency Request, IHC Informed
On Friday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed that former US President Joe Biden had turned down Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s mercy petition. The IHC bench, led by Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, heard a petition seeking Siddiqui’s release and return to Pakistan.
During the proceedings, Siddiqui’s lawyer, Imran Shafiq, revealed that the United States had also rejected a proposed prisoner swap agreement between Pakistan and the US. The court was also informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had submitted a report addressing the court’s questions, including details about the foreign visits of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
However, it was noted that the Pakistani ambassador in the US had not participated in meetings concerning Dr. Aafia’s case.
Justice Sardar Ejaz expressed concerns about the lack of progress and criticized the US administration, pointing out the contrast between President Biden’s decision to pardon his son and the rejection of clemency for Dr. Aafia, a Pakistani citizen.
The IHC adjourned the case for two weeks, with further discussions expected.
Background on Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s Case
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case dates back to 2003, following the capture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. Siddiqui, allegedly married to Mohammed’s nephew, disappeared with her children in Karachi, earning the title of “Lady Al-Qaeda” due to alleged associations with Al-Qaeda.
In 2008, she was arrested in Afghanistan for allegedly carrying sodium cyanide and planning attacks on US targets. During her interrogation, she reportedly attempted to seize a US soldier’s rifle and shoot US agents, resulting in her being wounded.
Siddiqui’s son was released in Afghanistan, while the whereabouts of her other two children remain unknown. In 2010, she was convicted in the US for attempting to murder US agents and sentenced to 86 years in prison, though she was never directly charged with terrorism-related offenses.
