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USA: Pakistan embassy asks State Department to allow Aafia’s mother, sister meet her
14-10-2008
WASHINGTON, (APP): The Pakistani embassy in Washington has asked the US State Department to facilitate a meeting between detained Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui and members of her family including mother and sister, it was officially learned Monday.
Following Aafia Siddiqui’s desire to see her family members, the embassy conveyed the request to the US authorities on the instructions of Pakistan’s ambassador Husain Haqqani that her mother Ismat Siddiqui and sister Dr Fauzia Siddiqui may be allowed to meet her.
Ms. Siddiqui, 36, is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation at a medical facility in Fort Worth, Texas, which is inside a military compound. The tests were ordered by a US judge after he entered a plea of innocent last month on behalf of Ms. Siddiqui’s prosecutors say may be unfit to face charges of trying to kill US interrogators in Afghanistan.
She was shot in the abdomen after she allegedly grabbed an American soldier’s gun during questioning in Afghanistan in July, was brought to New York on August 4 to face charges of attempted murder and assault.
According to an embassy official, the embassy has also asked the United States to immediately share any information regarding the whereabouts of Aafi’s daughter Miriam and son Suleman, if they have any knowledge about them.
One of Aafia’s sons was brought to Pakistan from Afghanistan last month. On Sunday, Aafia’s brother Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, a resident of Houston, was allowed to meet her sister.
Last week, a five-member Pakistan parliamentary delegation, led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, had a long meeting with her and afterwards called for the immediate release of Dr. Aafia and her repatriation to Pakistan as no terrorism charges have been brought up against her.
The Pakistani embassy has been seeking her repatriation to Pakistan and has been urging the US authorities on protection of Ms Siddiqu’s rights as well as provision of medical treatment as desired by her. A Pakistani diplomat said last week that Ms Siddiqui’s health has now improved considerably and that she wants to see her family.
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