Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has granted Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui's request to amend her petition concerning the release and repatriation of her sister, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently imprisoned in the United States. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the hearing and instructed Fauzia Siddiqui's counsel, Advocate Imran Shafiq, to submit the amended petition within one week.
The hearing was attended by Imran Shafiq, Additional Attorney General, and court-appointed amicus curiae Zainab Janjua.
During proceedings, the court questioned the government's interest in concluding the case. “Why does the government want to dispose of this petition? What benefit does it gain from that?” Justice Ejaz Ishaq asked. In response, the Additional Attorney General stated that the government had already taken all possible measures in this matter.
Justice Ejaz Ishaq Khan observed that the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui had become a prolonged struggle and had now evolved into a movement. He remarked, “Ending this petition will neither end the issue nor resolve it. Whatever steps the government could take through this court, have already been taken.”
The judge also acknowledged the court’s role in facilitating several significant developments, including the issuance of a U.S. visa for Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, the Prime Minister’s letter supporting a clemency petition for Aafia Siddiqui, and the eventual meeting between the two sisters, which was made possible only due to the court’s intervention. Additionally, a Pakistani delegation visited the U.S. and met with Dr. Aafia Siddiqui as per the court’s directive.
The court accepted the request to amend the petition and gave one week for its submission. The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.
