Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court has sought a response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as to why the Pakistani ambassador to the US did not attend the meetings of the official delegation that went from Pakistan to meet Dr. Aafia with members of Congress.
The court wrote that the Pakistani ambassador should have attended the meetings of the delegation representing the government of Pakistan. The court also sought details of the visits of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to foreign countries after Aafia Siddiqui filed a mercy petition.
Justice Ijaz Ishaq Khan issued a written order for the hearing of the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release and repatriation, in which it was stated that according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there was no response to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s letter to the US President.
The State Department and Aafia Siddiqui were given roles for the delegation’s meetings, the court wrote. It is also a fact that the Pakistani ambassador to the US did not take any time to play a frontline role and did not attend the important meetings of the official delegation held from December 3 to 11.
It is unthinkable for the US to distance itself from the delegation for fear of being perceived as interfering in its internal political affairs. Although the ambassador has taken a stand from the country he is representing, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Pakistani embassy to submit a report to the court at the next hearing.
Dr. Fozia Siddiqui said that according to her visa portal, she was denied a visa. It is worrying that she will be prevented from entering for meetings in mid-January.
