Foreign Office said Wednesday that the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui was taken up with the top US diplomat Alice Wells during her recent visit and the US side has promised to look into Pakistan's request. According to Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, the government of Pakistan has been raising the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui with the US authorities regularly.
He said the issue of respecting the human and legal rights of Dr Aafia Siqqiqui was also raised in the meeting at Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Ambassador Alice Wells, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, on November 6, adding the US side had promised to look into Pakistan's request.
He further said Pakistan's counsellor general in Houston paid Consular visits to Dr Siddiqui periodically to inquire about her well-being and conveys her messages to Dr Aafia's family, if any. He said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi would soon meet with the sister of Dr Aafia Siddique in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, US Embassy in Islamabad stated in a statement that Ambassador Alice Wells visited Islamabad November 6-7 to review key items on bilateral agenda, including the upcoming Geneva Conference on Afghanistan and joint efforts to advance the Afghan peace process. It stated that Ambassador Wells met with Minister of Finance Asad Umer, senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, and Director General Military Operations Nauman Zakria.
"Ambassador Wells reaffirmed the goal expressed by both Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Qureshi to build a mutually-beneficial relationship based on trust," it stated, adding that she underscored the importance of all actors in the region takings steps to advance security, stability and cooperation in South Asia, and welcomed the commitment from Pakistani officials to work towards this goal.
It further stated that Ambassador Wells also discussed opportunities to build business and economic ties between the United States and Pakistan, and explored other areas for growth in bilateral relationship. Ambassador Wells also met think tank representatives, regional security experts, and members of civil society. She highlighted the United States' commitment to work collaboratively to advance the shared goals of the American and Pakistani people, it added.
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