Extradition of Dr. Aafia: Interior Ministry asked to submit detail reply within a week

ISLAMABAD: Adjourning the hearing of the case of extradition of missing Pakistani Dr. Aafia Siddique, till October 15, Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Interior Ministry to submit its detail reply within one week.

The hearing of the case started on Monday heard by Chief Justice IHC Sardar Aslam. Additional Interior Secretary Shahid Ullah Baig, Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Amjad Iqbal Qureshi and US Desk Director in the Interior Ministry Mansoor Ahmed were present in the court.

The applicant Iqbal Jaffery Advocate adopted the stance that the Interior Ministry was asked in the previous hearing to inform the court regarding the progress made on the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui but neither it was implemented nor the Ministry provided him information to prepare the case.

He said that he had personally written eight letters to the Interior Ministry but there was no reply from the ministry.

Deputy Attorney General on this said that the ministry is not bound to respond the personal letters of anyone. Iqbal Jaffery in response stated that the ministry even does not recognize these letters.

Chief Justice Sardar Aslam asked US Desk Director in the Interior Ministry Mansoor Ahmed to inform the court regarding the progress made on the case. Mansoor Ahmed informed the court that a letter has been written by the government of Pakistan to US officials regarding extradition of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.

The applicant Iqbal Jaffery on this demanded the presentation of any practical attempt made for the extradition of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to Pakistan.

Chief Justice Sardar Aslam said that the extradition of Dr. Aafia Siddique can be demanded if she (Dr.Aafia) was picked illegally from Pakistan and if any crime was committed by her in the United States then the case can be run according to US laws.

The applicant informed the court that Dr. Aafia was kidnapped from Karachi in April 2003 and requested the court to ask the Interior Ministry when Dr. Aafia was arrested and who were involved in her arrest.

Iqbal Jaffery later while talking to media said that the Interior Ministry is taking no interest in the case and only wasting the time for the last three months.

He also expressed his disappointment over no protest by the government over shifting of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui to Texas jail, which is known as House of Horror.