Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights on Thursday urged the government to use political and diplomatic channels and influence for immediate repatriation of Dr Afia Siddqui before start of her trial, who is currently languishing in a US prison.
The committee met here with its chairman Senator S M Zafar in the chair. Report on the condition of Dr Afia Siddiqui in the light of a five-member Senate delegation's visit to US, which met her and inquired about her health, was presented in the committee's meeting, which declared the condition of Dr Afia as critical.
The delegation led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed comprised Senators Sadia Abbasi, Talha Mehmood and SM Zafar visited US in October 2008 and met Dr Afia. According to the report prepared by the Senators, who met Dr Afia, she complained of brutality in Afghanistan, however, she repeatedly said that she was not humiliated by Afghanis. Instead she profusely complained of indignity since her detention in US.
The report added that Dr Afia denied of firing at or attempted to fire at any US soldier and rather claimed that the US forces fired at her and bullet went through her belly. She insisted that the case which has been filed in the court is a cover up as after she was hurt she over heard one of the soldiers exclaiming: "We can loose our jobs", says the report.
She appears to have been subjected to intensive investigation both at Bagram and US and did not disclose any particular subject of investigation, it added. Dr Afia does not seem to be satisfied with the counsel provided to her by US, the reports said. According report her lawyers enjoys good reputation as a human rights activist but not as criminal lawyer. The reports further added that Dr Afia abhorred and was scarred of strip searches and during her stay in the medical centre, she was able to keep her fast that helped her recover spiritually and physically.
She completely denies marriage with Ammer Balochi and she was worried and concerned about her two missing children and also expressed fear that she may be declared as mentally sick. Dr Afia was thankful to the people of Pakistan, the government and particularly the Senate, which raised voice in her favour.
Senator S M Zafar said that in his view Dr Afia would require a good criminal lawyer because the case is in a criminal court and is to be tried by jury. Pakistani community needs to be mobilised for financial help with the support of our Embassy, he added. Her case of two missing children must be persuaded with new vigor with Afghan government, he added As for the treatment and strip search we shall voice her concern in and through the Human Right Committee, the Senator maintained.
Senator Khalid Ranjha said that Pakistan should demand her reparation before her trial to be started from February 23 as Pakistan is in better bargaining position as far as the war on terror is concerned. Senator Sadia Abbasi, one of the visitors to Dr Afia, said that she could not describe the situation the Pakistani lady is facing in the US jail and Pakistan should explore all the avenues to repatriate her to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. The treatment meted out to Dr Afia is a shameful act and a crime against the humanity.
Comments
Comments are closed.