Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani met with detained Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui in a Texas health facility and assured her of the government's full support for her early repatriation to homeland. During the meeting lasting for an hour, the ambassador also arranged a telephonic conversation between Dr Aafia Siddiqui and her mother.
This was Aafia's first telephonic contact with her mother in six years. Aafia thanked the ambassador for the humanitarian gesture and appreciated efforts the Pakistani diplomats are making for her release and return to the country. Haqqani informed her that the Pakistani embassy in Washington - under the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani - is making diplomatic and legal efforts to secure her earliest release and repatriation.
Haqqani assured her that the embassy will make sure that her legal rights are protected. Dr Siddiqui, a 37-year old neuroscientist, is in US custody facing charges of an alleged attempt to shoot American personnel in Afghanistan. She was brought to New York in August last year by US agents from Afghanistan and is currently being treated at a government psychiatric hospital in Texas.
According to Pakistani diplomats, Aafia Siddiqui appears to be in good health. The Pakistani ambassador has also requested the US authorities to provide her best healthcare. While in Texas, Ambassador Haqqani also met with representatives of the Pakistan Society of Northern Texas. He urged the Pakistani Americans to contribute generously to the Prime Minister Relief Fund for internally displaced persons who are victims of terrorism and need international help.