US requested to hand over Aafia  

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik sent a letter on Saturday to the United States Attorney General calling for repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui to Pakistan.

He said as the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui had become a matter of public concern in Pakistan, her repatriation would create goodwill for the US.

Mr Malik said there was also a humanitarian side to the episode as two of her children were living in uncertainty. “The old mother of Dr Siddiqui is suffering from depression,” the letter said.

The minister further stated that Dr Aafia Siddiqui could be deported to Pakistan under the UN Convention on prisoners. “I would appreciate if you personally look into the matter and use your good office for helping in the repatriation of Dr Siddiqui to Pakistan.”

He added that there were over 90 precedents in the legal history of the US where cases against such individuals were dropped on humanitarian grounds.—APP