A clemency petition has been submitted to the White House, urging President Joe Biden to grant the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States. Advocates are hopeful that Biden will make a decision before his term ends on January 20, 2024.
Pakistani Delegation Advocates for Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s Release
A recent visit by a Pakistani delegation to the United States aimed to advocate for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds. The delegation, led by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, included Senator Talha Mehmood and psychiatrist Dr Iqbal Afridi. Their visit followed an order from the Islamabad High Court to meet with US lawmakers and officials to pursue clemency for Dr Siddiqui.
Meetings with US Lawmakers and Officials
During their visit to Washington, the Pakistani delegation held discussions with several US lawmakers, including Congressman Jim McGovern, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Senator Chris Van Hollen. They also met Elizabeth Horst, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia. The meetings focused on exploring potential legal avenues for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and emphasizing the urgency of granting her clemency.
Clemency Petition Delivered to the White House
The clemency petition advocating for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui has now been delivered to the White House. Members of the Pakistani-American community who facilitated the visit expressed hope that President Biden would consider the petition before transferring power to Donald Trump on January 20. One community member said, “We are keeping our fingers crossed.”
Meeting Dr Aafia Siddiqui in Texas
The delegation also visited Dr Aafia Siddiqui at the Federal Medical Centre in Fort Worth, Texas, a facility for female inmates requiring specialized medical and mental health care. During the visit, which lasted three hours, Dr Iqbal Afridi, the psychiatrist accompanying the delegation, spoke with Dr Siddiqui about her condition. Senator Talha Mehmood described the meeting as “encouraging” and expressed optimism that the President would prioritize her case.
Continued Diplomatic Efforts for Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s Release
Senator Bushra Anjum Butt described the visit as part of a sustained diplomatic effort led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to secure the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. In October 2024, Prime Minister Sharif had written to President Biden, urging clemency for Dr Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds due to her deteriorating health. He requested that the US exercise its authority to release Dr Siddiqui on compassionate grounds.
Background of Dr Aafia Siddiqui
Born in Karachi, Dr Aafia Siddiqui moved to the United States in 1990 on a student visa, where she earned a doctorate in neuroscience from Brandeis University. She was reportedly involved with the Muslim Students Association during her time as an undergraduate at MIT. Media reports suggest that Dr Siddiqui raised funds for a group later linked to Al Qaeda.
After returning to Pakistan in 2002, she divorced her first husband and married Ammar al-Baluchi, a nephew of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. Following the 2003 capture of Mohammed, Dr Siddiqui was implicated as an Al Qaeda courier and was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008. During her arrest, she allegedly grabbed a US officer’s rifle and opened fire, resulting in her being shot. In 2010, she was convicted and sentenced to 86 years in prison, a verdict that sparked protests in Pakistan, where many view her as a symbol of resistance against perceived injustices.
The Call for Release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui
The release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui remains a highly contentious issue, with calls for her release on humanitarian grounds gaining momentum. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, has speculated about the possibility of a deal involving Dr Siddiqui’s release and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters under the incoming Trump administration.
The ongoing efforts to secure the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui reflect the continued diplomatic efforts to address her case, emphasizing the importance of compassion and the urgency of her release due to health concerns.
