Islamabad:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has stated that his recent remarks about Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case, which was made in response to a question regarding ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s legal situation in Atlantic Council-Thinking Tank in Washington, was taken out of context.
In a statement sent on X, Dar said, “Yesterday, in response to a question about Imran Khan’s case in Atlantic Council -Thinking Tank in Washington, the reference to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case is taken out of context.”
“During the PML-N government terms, we have consistently provided all diplomatic and legal assistance to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release, and we will continue to do so until the question of her release is resolved.”
He emphasized the importance of respecting legal systems, he explained that each country had its legal and legal procedures, “which must be respected, whether it is Pakistan or the United States”.
“Our government’s attitude to the question of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release is clear and unambiguous,” the Foreign Minister maintained.
Currently on an official visit to the United States, FM Dar had addressed Atlantic Council -Thinking Tank in Washington, DC.
While answering a question about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s prison, Dar had referred to Dr. Siddiqui to emphasize the principle of respecting legal processes.
He said Pakistan had not interfered in Dr. Siddiqui’s case because “Americans had followed their legal system”.
Similarly, he added that Imran Khan had been convicted by Pakistan’s judiciary after proper legal process. “When the proper process is followed, others have no right to interfere,” he said.
The comments were sharply criticized by Dr. Siddiqui’s legal team, where her lawyer called the comparison “idiotic”.
