Karachi:Aafia Movement Pakistan (AMP) leader and noted neuro-physician of the country Dr Fowzia Siddiqui in an open letter to the Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged him to take up the issue of Aafia Siddiqui with the US administration during his coming visit to the US.
In the letter, Dr Fowzia wrote: Thirteen years ago, you took a courageous stand for Dr Aafia Siddiqui, calling her the “daughter of the Nation” and promising to do all in your power to have her returned to Pakistan. Your stand at the time won the hearts of millions of Pakistanis.
She wrote: Since then you have repeatedly chastised successive Pakistani governments and the establishment for neglecting the plight of Dr. Aafia except as a political ploy. Two years ago, Allah Almighty gave you the position to make good on your promise and erase the failures of those that preceded you.
“While we have not heard any public comment from you since assuming office, I continue to pray that Allah will guide you to have the courage to stand up for Dr Aafia now with more energy and zeal than when you launched your political career. You have been blessed with many successes in your life against tough odds, but you have not shied away from your goals. I pray that your stated goal of bringing Dr Aafia home will remain in your focus as was the cricket world cup, the vision of Shaukat Khanum hospital and the goal of leading this nation. Every minute that Aafia remains unjustly locked up is a heavy burden that will only bring dishonour and shame. I trust if your mother were alive she would have agreed.
“Prime Minister Khan, you will soon be embarking on another visit to the United States in this pandemic year knowing full well that Dr Aafia is being held in confinement in one of the worst affected COVID prisons in the US.”
Dr Fowzia Siddiqui said we know full well that you will be handed another demeaning “Do More” list from the US or tempted with humiliating aid or subjugating loans. But, I hope you will do what no other Pakistani leader in recent memory has done and that is to stand tall and also ask that Pakistan’s grievance be addressed, with Dr. Aafia’s release being a priority among them. You are the leader of a nuclear armed nation and yet even the stateless Taliban did not back down from getting their prisoners. May Allah give you the backbone to be the champion that your supporters have hoped for.
“Finally, I would like to say that, as you brought the story of Ertugrul Ghazi to us, just as we have the stories of Muhammad Bin Qasim and Salahuddin or Mu’tasim, it is high time that we, as a nation come out of the shadows of those historical figures and create new heroes and achievements in our own time. You have been blessed and are being tested by Almighty Allah with an opportunity to be among this new breed. The choice to seize the moment is yours, the results are from Allah. Bringing Dr. Aafia home is an achievement that is both symbolic and restrictive in how ordinary Pakistanis will view their own value in the eyes of their leaders and, by extension, themselves.
“A daughter is the soul of a Nation and Aafia is the daughter of the Nation, May Allah guide you and keep our nation safe from its many enemies and give guidance to all its people and leaders who have sincerity in their hearts.” Dr Fowzia in the end requested: Please Spare some time and meet with me before you leave, so I can explain to you the simplicity of the process of bringing Aafia home.