Resolution submitted in PA for release of Dr Aafia

LAHORE:Baasima Chaudhary, an MPA from the Sunni Ittehad Council from Mandi Bahauddin, has submitted a resolution in the Punjab Assembly regarding the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani citizen imprisoned in the United States.

The resolution stated that the protection of Dr. Aafia's life and honour is the responsibility of the Pakistani government. Dr Aafia's lawyer has revealed that she is not only facing physical violence but also sexual abuse in prison.

The resolution questioned whether Pakistan can tolerate this desecration of its daughter. Dr. Aafia is reportedly being pressurised to abandon her religion and is being denied access to her Imam.

Additionally, she is not being allowed to sign documents essential for her legal defence. The resolution demanded that sincere efforts be made to bring Dr. Siddiqui back to Pakistan, emphasising that these efforts should be practical, not just verbal and the orders of the Islamabad High Court should be implemented without delay.

In view of Dr. Siddiqui's deteriorating physical and mental health, the resolution demanded her release on humanitarian grounds under the compassionate release law.