The United States Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel has stated that inquiries regarding Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case should be directed to the Department of Justice.
“So first, I certainly wouldn’t get into private diplomatic communications,” he said.
Additionally, Patel emphasized the global opposition to blasphemy laws, stating that such laws can pose a threat to religious freedom and human rights.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz requested President Joe Biden to grant a pardon and release Siddiqui, who is currently serving an 86-year sentence for allegedly assaulting U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.
In a letter dated October 13, the prime minister expressed concerns about Siddiqui’s “fragile mental and frail physical health” while in prison. “Now 52 years old, she has served 16 years behind bars in the US. 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 added.
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