Clive Stafford Smith, the lawyer representing Pakistani neurologist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui in the United States, has announced plans to visit Pakistan to attend a case hearing concerning her potential release and repatriation.
This decision was shared with the Islamabad High Court (IHC) during a hearing on Monday by Dr. Siddiqui’s local lawyer, Imran Shafique. Smith is set to arrive in Pakistan on May 4, and Shafique has requested the IHC to postpone the current hearing and schedule the next one for May 6 to allow for consultations with Smith.
Read more: ‘US Govt Likely to Release Dr Aafia Siddiqui Before Jan 20’, Hopes Pakistani Delegation
The court agreed to the new date after confirming that there were no objections from the government, and the hearing was rescheduled accordingly. The IHC also noted the absence of newly appointed Additional Attorney General Umar Aslam. This case has now been adjourned until May 6 for further proceedings.
Earlier, the federal government rejected a proposal to exchange Dr. Siddiqui’s release for the handover of Dr. Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor convicted of aiding the CIA in locating Osama bin Laden.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, born in Karachi in 1972, is a well-educated neuroscientist who earned a Ph.D. from Brandeis University. Her case began in 2003 after her alleged connection to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the 9/11 mastermind.
In 2008, Dr. Siddiqui was arrested in Afghanistan while reportedly carrying sodium cyanide and plans for attacks on US targets. During her detention, she was accused of trying to attack US agents but was shot in the process. Her case has sparked significant controversy, especially regarding her treatment and sentencing to 86 years in 2010, despite no direct evidence linking her to terrorism.
