TEXAS: After almost 20-years, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national imprisoned in US, met her sister Dr Fauzia Siddiqui on Wednesday.
Both sisters saw each other after 20-years at the Federal Medical Centre, Carswell, Fort Worth, Texas. The glass wall kept the two sisters apart during the 2.5-hour meeting. Dr Aafia Siddiqui told her sister how the US government treated her.
The US authorities didn’t allow Dr. Fauzia to show the pictures of Dr. Aafia’s children to her but she shared the details about them. Her son who was six-month old at the time of her arrest is now an adult and her daughter is now a doctor.
Dr Aafia’s American lawyer Clive Smith, who is seeking her release along with Dr Fauzia and Senator Mushtaq are expected to meet with her again today (Wednesday) to discuss further possible means of her release.
Dr. Aafia is currently receiving therapy at a federal medical prison in Texas, where female prisoners have access to specialized medical and mental health facilities.
The Pakistani national was found guilty by a federal court in New York in 2010 of attempted murder and other offences, and she is currently serving an 86-year term there. Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui was given a US visa on May 8, enabling her to visit her sister, who is imprisoned in the US. This information was provided to the Islamabad High Court on May 8.
Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogar notified the court during a hearing over Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release.
The court has ordered the government to arrange an independent psychiatric evaluation for Dr Aafia Siddiqui. The court further directed them to share all case-related information and documents with her American lawyer Clive Smith and ensure that such information is not used for any other purpose besides the case.
