Despite massive support for Aafia amongst the Pakistani public, and the subsequent (perhaps opportunistic) campaign promises of the current prime minister, Imran Khan, to get her released, if he got into office, Aafia Siddiqui continues to languish in a U.S. jail for upwards of 18 years. The Pakistani government has yet to perform the most elemental step of formally requesting her release. The question arises: Why?
The simplest answer seems to be: The Pakistan government is even more complicit than the U.S. in Aafia's continuing detention. At least, the U.S. had expressed an interest at an official level at various points to conduct a prisoner exchange, or some such for Aafia. Although I'm no expert, I believe that under International Law, the Pakistani government and its principles can be taken before the International Criminal Court (ICC), for their role in Aafia's kidnapping, rape, and torture. The U.S., on the other hand, cannot easily be tried before the ICC or any other international body, as they are not signatories to these.
So, Aafia's release would mean exposure of the Pakistani government's crimes, and open the door to an international inquiry/ litigation. Also, given the monumental support for Aafia across Pakistan, where she is considered the "Daughter of the Nation," reaction to the crimes against her, when and if she is finally released and the full, sordid details come out, is likely to be explosive. This may explain, at least in part, the Pakistan government's hesitancy in requesting Aafia's release.
--Nadrat Siddique
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