Pakistan moves Dr Aafia’s mercy petition to Whites House

A Pakistani delegation has submitted a mercy petition in the White House for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who has been sentenced to 86 years in prison in the United States.

According to a report, the lawyers urged US President Joe Biden to allow the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui before the end of his term on January 20.

A Pakistani delegation led by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt recently visited the US for the release of Dr Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds.

Senator Talha Mahmood and psychiatrist Dr Iqbal Afridi were also part of the delegation.

The move comes after the Islamabad High Court directed US lawmakers and officials to discuss the matter.

In Washington, the delegation met several US lawmakers, including House Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, Congressman Ilhan Omar and Karachi-born Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen.

The Pakistani delegation also called on Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Elizabeth Hearst.

During these talks, the delegation explored possible legal avenues and stressed the urgent need to appeal for clemency for Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

The delegation also met Dr Aafia Siddiqui at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, which has special medical and mental health care facilities for women prisoners.

Psychologist Dr Iqbal Afridi also attended the three-hour meeting.

Talking to reporters, Senator Talha Mahmood described the meeting with Dr Aafia Siddiqui as encouraging.

“President Biden has more than 60 mercy petitions on his desk, including Dr Aafia Siddiqui. “We hope that his case will be prioritized and the President will consider it sympathetically.”