KARACHI: Past three governments did nothing for the daughter of the nation, Dr Aafia Siddiqui and now the masses should use their vote very carefully during the fourth time, said Aafia Movement Pakistan leader and noted neurophysician of the country Dr Fowzia Siddiqui here on Sunday.
She was speaking to a reception for the participants of a march on foot that reached here from Karachi, in front of the Karachi Press Club (KPC).
Pasban e Pakistan Karachi chapter president Abdul Hakim Quaid, general secretary Sardar Zulfiqar, economic expert Dr Shahida Wazarat, TV actor Ayaz Khan and others were also present, along with a large number of Aafia Movement volunteers.
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui said that Aafia has only and only Pakistani citizenship. She said Aafia have been languishing in foreign detention for past 15 years, which is a national tragedy. She said during these 15 years three governments did nothing for her. She said this is the third assembly that is going to complete its tenure but Dr Aafia is still in illegal detention.
She said all politicians called Aafia the daughter of the nation; they made tall claims to give relief to the masses, and bring home Aafia but these three governments did nothing, practically. He said these politicians when they were in opposition demanded for the repatriation of Aafia, but when they came into power they forgot their promises. She reminded that Mian Mohammad Sharif had promised to bring home Aafia within 100 days.
She said that the people fully know the faces of politicians who remembered Aafia and who forgot her. She said the people should use their right of vote with extreme care this time. She said that the civil rights workers including our Hindu community sisters and brothers took part in the march on foot from Hyderabad to Karachi in extreme hot weather, led by human rights leader Vero Kolhi which is highly appreciable.
Vero Kolhi said that the government of Pakistan has given her a presidential award, which is a matter for pride for her. She said that it is a matter of concern that the daughter of the nation is in illegal detention. She said that we, the minority people, demand from the rulers elected by the Muslim majority votes to feel a sense of honor and bring back Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
Dr Shahida Wazarat said that the day of March 30 has become a day of shame for the nation. She demanded of the government to ensure early repatriation of Aafia, so that the nation becomes proud again and the country could be put on the path of progress.
Actor Ayaz Khan said the artists are very sensitive people. He said keeping an innocent person for 15 years in jail is too much. He appealed to the government to take steps for the repartition of Aafia.
Pasban Hyderabad chapter President Arshad Arain said that their march on foot from Hyderabad to Karachi is just a beginning. He said the Aafia Release Caravan would travel whole Pakistan and later go to Islamabad.