Karachi:Sindh High Court (SHC) here Thursday sought reply from the federal government along with details of steps taken on a constitutional petition of Aafia Movement Pakistan leader and noted neurophysician of the country Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, seeking the release of her sister Dr Aafia Siddiqui whose life was in danger due to the spread of Covid-19 in the American prison where she is detained.
As per details, a division bench of SHC comprising Mr Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Mr Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed resumed the hearing of the constitutional petition of Dr Fowzia Siddiqui. The court sought from the government lawyer complete details of the mercy petition filed by the government in the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. The court further directed the federal government to submit the mercy petition on a correct forum so that progress can be attained in the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui. The court directed the lawyer of the federal government to submit their detailed reply in this regard on next hearing.
However, Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, talking to media outside the court premises, said she can only hope that the federal government follows the instructions of the honorable court. She said it is strange that the government legal people, who are top legal minds of the country, are committing serious mistakes in the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and submitting papers including the mercy petition on wrong forums. She said we drafted the mercy petition and submitted it to the government to put their signature on it, but they submitted the mercy petition to a wrong forum; hence, putting the case of Dr Aafia in further pending.
She said every second is precious which is being simply wasted by the government. She said the federal government is responsible for the life, honor and dignity of every Pakistani. She said the fundamental rights of every Pakistani including Dr Aafia Siddiqui should be safeguarded by the federal government. She asked who will dole out justice to Aafia, as the government is not serious to dole out justice in her case.
She said the mercy petition regarding the release of Aafia was sent by the government to a wrong forum. She said she is sad over these sorry states of affairs. She; however, hoped that the federal government would rectify its mistakes. She said she hopes that the rulers would consider Aafia as their own sister. She said the coronavirus had spread in the American jail where Dr Aafia is detailed and till last week six prisoners had already died of the virus in that jail.
However, the court adjourned the case to June 10, instructing the federal government to file their detailed answer. The court instructed the deputy attorney general to tell the court about the procedure of mercy petition. It asked him to remain in touch with the Aafia family and update them about progress in mercy petition matter.