Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani national held in US custody had a long awaited reunion with her sister Dr Fauzia Siddiqui nearly after two decades of separation. The emotional encounter took place at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. Where Dr Aafia is currently serving her sentence.
During the poignant meeting, the two sisters were kept apart by a glass partition symbolizing the physical and emotional distance that has plagued their relationship for years.
Despite the barrier, Dr Aafia took the opportunity to inform her sister about the mistreatment she has endured under the custody of US authorities.
A Mother’s agony
Dr Fauzia shared with her sister the details of her children’s lives but unfortunately she was not allowed to present their pictures to Dr Aafia. At the time of her arrest, Dr Aafia’s son was merely six months old.
Now he has grown into adulthood. Meanwhile, her daughter has pursued a career in medicine, becoming a doctor herself.
Seeking freedom
Dr Fauzia along with Senator Mushtaq and Dr Aafia’s American lawyer Clive Smith is actively pursuing avenues for her sister’s release.
They are scheduled to meet Dr Aafia once again to discuss further steps that can be taken to secure her freedom.
At the moment, Dr Aafia is receiving medical treatment in a federal medical prison in Texas, where special medical and mental health facilities are provided to women prisoners.
Unfortunately, Dr Aafia Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year sentence in the United States. In 2010, she was convicted by a federal court in New York on charges of attempted murder and other related offenses.
The severity of her sentence has drawn international attention and sparked debates regarding her case.
A Glimmer of Hope
In a positive turn of events, the Islamabad High Court was informed on 8 May 2023, that Dr Fauzia Siddiqui has been granted a US visa enabling her to meet her incarcerated sister in the United States.
This news offers a glimmer of hope for the family and supporters of Dr Aafia who have tirelessly campaigned for her release.
During a recent hearing concerning Dr Aafia Siddiqui‘s release Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogar informed the court about the granting of the US visa to Dr Fauzia.
The court has also instructed the government to arrange an independent psychiatric evaluation for Dr Aafia and to share all relevant documents and information pertaining to her case with her lawyer, Clive Smith. It emphasized that the information should be used exclusively within the context of the case.
read more: Fauzia Siddiqui granted US visa for meeting Dr. Aafia in jail
The reunion between Dr Aafia Siddiqui and her sister after two decades evokes a mix of emotions. It sheds light on the hardships endured by Dr Aafia during her imprisonment as well as the unwavering dedication of her loved ones in seeking justice and her eventual release.
As the legal proceedings continue and efforts to secure her freedom persist the story of Dr Aafia Siddiqui serves as a reminder of the human cost of geopolitical conflicts and the need for fair and just treatment of prisoners worldwide.
