Government hopeful for Afia Siddiqui's release by January

Dr Aafia Siddiqui has urged the government of Pakistan to intensify efforts for her early release from her decades-long incarceration in the US prisons, while the government is also optimistic for her release by January.

An official delegation, led by Senator Talha Mehmood Khan, met with Dr Aafia Siddiqui in prison, where she appealed for measures to expedite her release.

The delegation expressed optimism that the US authorities would pardon Dr Siddiqui’s remaining sentence by January 20.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced plans to send a delegation to the US to discuss ending Dr Siddiqui’s imprisonment.

Following the directives of Premier Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani delegation held a three-hour meeting with Dr Aafia Siddiqui. 

Senator Bushra, a member of the delegation and an incarcerated scientist, informed the group about the hardships she has faced in prison, but she expressed hope for justice and faith in God's mercy.

Dr Aafia Siddiqui was sentenced by the US judiciary to 86 years in prison in 2010 on charges of attempted murder and assaulting US personnel in an Afghan jail. She is currently serving her sentence at Carswell, a high-security prison in Texas. 

After they met with Dr Siddiqui, the delegation also met with officials from Congress and the State Department in the US, urging them to facilitate her quick release.

"Discussions with US authorities regarding Aafia's release were positive, and there is hope that the US government will decide on her release before January 20—Inauguration Day for President-elect Donald Trump," reported Geo News, quoting Senator Bushra.