Former U.S. president Joe Biden rejected Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s clemency plea, her counsel informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday.
Lawyer Imran Shafiq further said the U.S. had refused a prisoner exchange agreement with Pakistan. The court was hearing a case lodged by Siddiqui’s sister, Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, seeking the convict’s repatriation from a U.S. prison.
IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan was also informed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had submitted a report answering the court’s questions, which included details of the prime minister and foreign minister’s foreign visits. It was noted the Pakistani ambassador in the U.S. had not participated in meetings seeking Siddiqui’s release.
Expressing dismay over the lack of progress, the judge remarked: “The U.S. is showing us our worth.” He also criticized the former U.S. administration, noting Biden had pardoned his own son but had extended no clemency to a Pakistani citizen.
The IHC then adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Siddiqui’s sister Fauzia and her U.S. attorney Clive Smith joined the proceedings via video link, while the additional attorney general also appeared in the court.
Siddiqui was sentenced to 86 years’ imprisonment in 2010 on charges of attempted murder and assault of U.S. personnel in an Afghanistan jail. She is serving her sentence in a high-security prison in Texas.
During a hearing in October 2024, the federal government had informed the IHC a delegation was being sent to the U.S. to plead for her release.