Pakistan submits petition for Aafia’s clemency to White House

A Pakistani delegation presented a clemency petition to the White House for the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year prison sentence in the United States.

According to a report, lawyers urged President Joe Biden to grant Aafia’s release before the end of his term on January 20.

The delegation, led by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, recently visited the US on humanitarian grounds in an effort to secure Dr Siddiqui's release. Joining the delegation were Senator Talha Mahmood and psychologist Dr Iqbal Afridi.

This initiative followed the Islamabad High Court’s directives to engage with US lawmakers and officials on the matter.

While in Washington, the delegation met with several US lawmakers, including House of Representatives Committee Chairman Congressman Jim McGovern, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Karachi-born Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

They also met with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Elizabeth Hurst.

During these discussions, the delegation explored potential legal avenues and emphasised the urgent need to appeal for clemency for Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

The delegation also visited Dr Aafia Siddiqui at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, in Fort Worth, Texas, which houses a specialised medical and mental health care facility for female prisoners.

The meeting, which lasted three hours, was also attended by psychiatrist Dr Iqbal Afridi.

Speaking to reporters, Senator Talha Mahmood called the meeting with Dr. Aafia Siddiqui "encouraging." He added, "President Biden has over 60 pardon requests on his desk, including Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s. We are hopeful that her case will be prioritised and that the president will consider it with compassion."

After meeting with Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Bushra Anjum Butt described the visit as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to secure Dr Siddiqui's release.

Earlier, in October 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had written a letter to President Biden, appealing for clemency on humanitarian grounds, citing Dr Siddiqui’s deteriorating health.

In 2010, Pakistani neuroscientist Aafia Siddiqui, who had studied in the US, was found guilty of attempted murder and assault by a New York federal district court and sentenced to 86 years in prison.

These charges arose from an interrogation by the US authorities in Ghazni, Afghanistan. Siddiqui denied all allegations against her.

At the age of 18, Siddiqui went to the US for higher education and earned a PhD in neuroscience from Brandeis University.

According to media reports, the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001 brought Siddiqui to the attention of the FBI due to her alleged financial contributions to proscribed organisations.

She was accused of acquiring $10,000 worth of night-vision goggles and military manuals.

American authorities suspected Siddiqui's affiliation with a banned militant outfit during her time in the US.

She disappeared in around 2003, along with her three children, in Karachi. Five years later she turned up in Pakistan's war-torn neighbour, Afghanistan, where she was arrested by local forces in Ghazni.