Breaking News USA: Dr Aafia Siddiqui has been sentenced to 76 years of imprisonment after being charged on seven counts by the federal court in Manhattan on Thursday, for allegedly firing at US troops in Afghanistan. A jury found Aafia Siddiqui guilty in February of trying to kill U.S. agents and military officers, after Afghan police detained her in 2008.
During Siddiqui's three-week trial, FBI agents and U.S. soldiers testified that when they went to interrogate Siddiqui, she snatched an unattended assault rifle. They claimed that the neuroscientist allegedly shot at them after abusing America.
Protests across Pakistan
Civil Society and workers of political parties held a protest rally in front of the Karachi Press Club today to demand Dr Aafia's release.
They asked the federal government to play its role in this regard.
The activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, PASBAN (NGO) and Defense of Human Rights (DHR) and members of civil society took part in the procession, which marched towards the US Embassy. The rally was barred from entering Constitution Avenue amid security concerns. Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to maintain law and order situation on the occasion.
'Release Dr Aafia as a goodwill gesture'
Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Ms Sharmila Farooqui asked the United States to release Dr Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian basis and as a goodwill gesture to Pakistan.
Pakistan is a friend of the US, so it should consider the release of Aafia Siddiqui to fulfill the principles of friendship, she said while talking to media at her office.
"Pakistan has always supported the US efforts for world peace and sacrificed a lot. Now is the time for the US to show goodness and pardon a Pakistani woman who is innocent", she said.
Sharmila also contacted Fauzia Siddiqui, the sister of Aafia Siddiqui, and assured her of all possible support from the government side for the release of Aafia.
Sharmila said Aafia Siddiqui is an innocent woman but she was wrongly handed over to the US in the previous government of President Musharraf in 2003.
"In Islam and Pakistan, handing over a woman to foreign countries is a sin but it is a pity that an innocent woman was mercilessly given in hands of the US in the past government," she said.
The advisor said the family members of Dr Aafia are in deep shock over the last seven years and are anxiously waiting to see Aafia in homeland.
She asked the international human rights and social organisations to play their due role for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.
Sharmila also asked the federal government to make efforts on humanitarian grounds for her release through diplomatic efforts so as to end unrest prevalent among all segments of Pakistan society.
The advisor said the government is committed to safeguarding human rights at national and international level as per the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
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