ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Foreign Office (FO) to provide facility to Fouzia Siddiqui on legal front in connection with release of her sister Aafia Siddiqui. Single bench of IHC led by Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan took up for hearing petition regarding release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from US Jail. Court directed FO to hold meeting with Dr Fouzia Siddiqui on this matter next week. Additional Attorney General Dr Munawar Dogal told court she is our citizen. Government will extend help whatever it can provide to her.

Fouzia Siddiqui appeared before court with her lawyer. Court inquired from AAG what progress is. AAG told court as per court orders our officials have met with acting US Ambassador. Court remarked was coffee and cake meeting held. AAG told court matter of release of Aafia Siddiqui has been raised at diplomatic level. Court inquired is there no idea what has happened in this meeting. Counsel for Fouzia Siddiqui told court one more lawyer has been hired for Aafia Siddiqui in US.

Court remarked it is 7th or 8th hearing. Government does not want to do anything in this regard. We have too jurisdiction of ours. We can stay within it as well. Ccounsel for Fouzia Siddiqui told court it seems apparently as if government looks helpless in this matter. Hearing of case was adjourned till March 17.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 21 2023

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