ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote a letter to United States President Joe Biden earlier this month, according to a court hearing on Friday, seeking the release of a Pakistani national, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving an 86-year prison sentence in the US on terrorism charges.
The information about the letter emerged after a state lawyer submitted the document, written last Sunday, during an Islamabad High Court hearing that had recently sought a detailed report on the extradition efforts made by Pakistani authorities.
Siddiqui, a US-trained neuroscientist, was convicted in 2010 on multiple charges, including attempting to kill US nationals. She became a suspect after leaving the US and marrying a nephew of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, a self-proclaimed mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Siddiqui was wounded during a confrontation with US officials in Afghanistan in 2008, with some reports suggesting she shot at the Americans.
“I am writing this letter to you, Mr. President, to seek your kind intervention in a matter that deserves to be viewed with compassion,” the prime minister said in his letter. “I am referring to the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui ... [who] is serving an eighty-six (86) year sentence, without the possibility of parole.”
Sharif noted that Siddiqui, now 52 years old, had spent approximately 16 years behind bars in the US.
He also emphasized that several Pakistani officials had made consular visits to her in prison, raising “serious concerns” about her treatment while incarcerated.
The prime minister said her time in prison had “severely impacted her already fragile mental and frail physical health,” adding: “In fact, they [the officials] even fear that she could take her own life.”
Pointing out that, as Pakistan’s prime minister, it was his duty to intervene when necessary to ensure the well-being of a citizen, Sharif sought clemency from President Biden for Siddiqui.
“Keeping these facts in view, I request you, Mr. President, to kindly exercise your constitutional authority and accept Dr. Siddiqui’s clemency petition and order her release, strictly on humanitarian grounds,” he said.
Siddiqui’s sister, Fauzia, has taken up her case in the media and has visited her in captivity in the US.
During the hearing, she urged the government to make every effort to bring her back to the country, as the court reviewed the details of how the Pakistani neuroscientist ended up in an American prison.
With input from AP
Pakistan PM urges President Biden to release Dr. Aafia Siddiqui from US prison
https://arab.news/js2zw
Pakistan PM urges President Biden to release Dr. Aafia Siddiqui from US prison
- Sharif’s letter to the US president, written last Sunday, was submitted to a Pakistani court by a state lawyer
- Sharif wants Biden to take a compassionate view of the situation, release Siddiqui ‘on humanitarian grounds’
Pakistan wins big at 6th Asian Open Taekwondo Championship in Indonesia
- Pakistan secured the top team position after winning three gold, three silver and two bronze medals
- Yousef Karami was awarded best coach award while Shahzaib Khan named best athlete for highest score
KHAPLU: Pakistan’s Taekwondo team made history by winning the 6th Asian Open (Khyurogi) Taekwondo Championship held in Indonesia from Oct. 14-17, sports officials confirmed on Friday, with a twin sister duo bagging multiple medals, including gold, silver and bronze.
Twin sisters Manisha Ali and Maliha Ali, hailing from the country’s northern Hunza valley, were part of the team that secured three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in the championship, which featured over 275 athletes from across Asia, including participants from India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal and Indonesia.
Pakistan emerged as the top team at the event, followed by Kazakhstan and Malaysia.
“Thanks to Allah Almighty, the Pakistan Taekwondo team performed very well and stood as the number one team of this event,” Lt Col (r) Raja Wasim Ahmed, the president of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), told Arab News over the phone.
“They have done their job and given their performances. And if they get such opportunities, they will be able to give even better results,” he said, adding: “There is no dearth of talent among Pakistani athletes. We should support and encourage them to bring pride to our country.”
Manisha defeated Indonesia’s Parmata Sri 4-1 and 8-2 to win the gold medal for Pakistan in the women’s +73 kg category, while her sister Maliha won a bronze medal in the same category.
On the occasion, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation’s executive member Zubair Macha praised the Pakistan team’s performance at the championship.
“Overall, 12 Pakistani players participated in the event held from October 14 to 17. The team brought home a total of eight medals— three gold, three silver, and two bronze— achieving their best result to date,” he added.
“Pakistan also secured the top team position and won the coveted team trophy,” he continued. “Head Coach Yousef Karami was awarded the Best Coach Award, while Shahzaib Khan was named Best Athlete for achieving the highest score in the event.”
Pakistan vows to send more aid to Palestine, Lebanon amid Israel’s military campaign
- PM Sharif has asked Pakistani diplomats in Mideast to report on the number of required tents and blankets
- Pakistan has so far sent 12 aid shipments of ready-to-eat meat, tents and winter clothing to the war zones
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday Pakistan would continue sending relief goods to Palestine and Lebanon to aid those affected by Israel’s military campaign in the Middle East.
Israel besieged the Gaza Strip and launched airstrikes after a surprise attack by Hamas in October last year, which the group claimed was in response to the worsening conditions of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
More recently, it opened another front in Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying Hezbollah, which attempted to provide military assistance to the Palestinians, raising fears of a broader regional conflict, potentially involving Iran.
Pakistan has so far dispatched 12 aid shipments to Palestine and Lebanon, which include ready-to-eat meat, tents, tarpaulins, warm bedding, winter clothing and powdered milk.
“We will not abandon the Muslims of Palestine, Gaza and Lebanon in their time of hardship,” the prime minister was quoted as saying in a statement released by his office.
“Pakistan will also send additional tents and blankets for our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Gaza and Lebanon, who are victims of Israeli aggression, as winter approaches,” he added.
Sharif instructed Pakistani ambassadors in Palestine’s neighborhood to submit a report on the required number of tents and blankets in the two war zones.
He said his government would soon send 3,000 more tents and 12,000 blankets to the two countries along with medicines and other items.
“No compromise should be made on the quality of aid being sent to Palestine and Lebanon,” he added.
The prime minister also criticized Western countries for not stopping Israel from killing “defenseless people.”
“History bears witness that the major cause of world wars in the 20th century was the silence of global powers on such conflicts,” he said.
Pakistan crush England in second Test to set up series decider
- Spinner Noman Ali grabbed 8-46, Sajid Khan took 2-93 as the pair wrapped up England’s second innings for 144
- It was Pakistan’s first home win since Feb. 2021 and came after they were thumped by an innings in the first Test
MULTAN: Spinner Noman Ali took eight wickets as Pakistan crushed England by 152 runs in the second Test to level the series 1-1 on Friday in Multan.
Noman grabbed 8-46 and Sajid Khan took 2-93 as the pair wrapped up England’s second innings for 144 after the visitors were set a daunting target of 297.
It was Pakistan’s first home win since February 2021 and came after they were thumped by an innings in the first Test, also in Multan.
The third and final Test starts in Rawalpindi from October 24.
Noman finished with a match haul of 11-147 while Sajid had figures of 9-204, only the second time in Pakistan’s history that two bowlers took all 20 wickets in a Test.
Pakistan’s last Test win at home came against South Africa in Rawalpindi more than three years ago. It was followed by 11 home Tests without a win.
This also becomes Shan Masood’s first win as skipper after getting the job last year, including 3-0 and 2-0 whitewashes at the hands of Australia and Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s ploy of dropping ace batsman Babar Azam in one of four changes after the first Test defeat and playing on a reused pitch with three spinners paid off handsomely.
Resuming at 36-2 and facing a tough task on a pitch offering sharp spin, England managed to add just 108 runs before folding.
In just the second over of the day Sajid removed Ollie Pope with a sharp turning delivery and caught the miscued drive off his own bowling. Pope made 22.
Noman then trapped Joe Root leg-before for 18 and Harry Brook for 16 to leave England facing defeat at 78-5.
Brook smashed an epic 317 and Root a brilliant 262 — eclipsing Alastair Cook’s England Test run record — in the first Test, and their dismissals signalled England’s doom was approaching.
Noman’s fourth wicket came in the form of Jamie Smith whose uppish slog sweep was held by Masood at mid-on. Smith scored six.
Skipper Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse fought hard to take the total to 125 when Stokes was stumped in a comical manner, jumping out of the crease to loft Noman but missing the ball as his bat flew out of his hands.
Noman wrapped up the match with the wickets of Carse (27), Jack Leach (one) and Shoaib Bashir (nought), improving his previous best of 7-70 against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year.
Third batch of 26 Palestinian students arrives in Pakistan to resume medical studies
- Islamabad announced in July that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will provide scholarships to more than 100 Palestinian students
- These Palestinian students will return after completing their medical education in Pakistan to serve people at home, a Pakistani health official says
ISLAMABAD: A third batch of 26 Palestinian students has arrived in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to continue their studies in the fields of medicine and dentistry, the Pakistani health ministry said on Friday.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced in July that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) will provide scholarships to over 100 Palestinian students so that they can continue their studies in Pakistan.
The initiative, which came amid Israel’s war on Palestine, is a collaboration between Doctors of Rehman, Global Relief Trust and a leading Pakistani non-governmental organization, Al-Khidmat Foundation.
Pakistan prime minister’s coordinator on health, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, warmly welcomed the Palestinian students upon arrival at the Islamabad airport, according to the Pakistani health ministry.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had offered Palestinian medical students to continue their studies in Pakistan in view of the current situation in Gaza,” Dr. Bharath was quoted as saying by the ministry.
“[They] will continue their medical and dental education in various medical institutions of Pakistan.”
More than 42,000 Palestinians have so far been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza, according to the Palestinian health authorities. The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing nearly 1,200 and capturing around 200 others.
“All necessary steps will be taken to provide medical facilities to Palestinian students,” Dr. Bharath said. “[Pakistan] stands with the Palestinian students in this difficult time.”
These Palestinian students would return after completing their medical education in Pakistan to serve people at home, he added.
More than 90 Palestinian students arrived in Pakistan earlier this week via two separate flights to continue their medical studies in the country.
Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza.
The South Asian country has also dispatched several aid consignments for the Palestinians.
India foreign minister’s Pakistan visit a ‘good beginning’, Nawaz Sharif says
- Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was in Pakistan for a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- Jaishankar and his counterpart Ishaq Dar had an ‘informal interaction,’ an official in Pakistani foreign ministry said on Thursday
MUMBAI: The visit of India’s foreign minister to Pakistan earlier this week was a “good beginning” that could lead to a thaw in relations between the two rivals, former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was quoted as saying by Indian media on Friday.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar was in Pakistan on Tuesday and Wednesday for a meeting of governments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with the capital city under tight lockdown.
“This is how talks move forward. Talks should not stop,” Sharif, the president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League — Nawaz (PML-N), and the brother of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, told a group of visiting Indian journalists, the Indian Express newspaper reported.
Jaishankar was among nearly a dozen leaders participating in the gathering in Islamabad, nearly a decade since an Indian foreign minister has visited amid frosty relations between the two nuclear powers.
Jaishankar and his counterpart Ishaq Dar had an “informal interaction,” an official in Pakistani foreign ministry said on Thursday, but New Delhi denied that any sort of meeting had taken place.
“We had made it very clear that this particular visit is for SCO head of government meeting. Other than that, there were some pleasantries exchanged on the sidelines of the meeting,” Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday.
“We have lost the last 75 years and it is important we don’t lose the next 75 years,” Sharif was quoted as saying in the Times of India newspaper.
