A clemency petition seeking the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist serving an 86-year sentence in the United States, has been submitted to the White House.
Advocates are urging President Joe Biden to consider her release before his term concludes on January 20, as confirmed by sources in Washington.
A Pakistani delegation, led by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, recently traveled to the U.S. to advocate for Siddiqui’s release on humanitarian grounds.
The delegation included Senator Talha Mehmood and psychiatrist Dr. Iqbal Afridi, and their visit was prompted by a directive from the Islamabad High Court to engage with U.S. lawmakers and officials.
During their visit, the delegation met with key U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Jim McGovern, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Senator Chris Van Hollen.
They also held discussions with Elizabeth Horst, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia.
The group explored potential legal avenues and emphasized the urgency of the clemency request.
Community members confirmed that the clemency petition had been delivered to the White House. “We are hopeful that President Biden will make a decision before transferring power to Donald Trump on January 20,” one member stated.
The delegation also visited Dr. Siddiqui at the Federal Medical Centre, Carswell, in Fort Worth, Texas, where she is held.
The meeting lasted three hours and included discussions about her health and circumstances.
Senator Talha Mehmood described the encounter as “encouraging” and expressed optimism about Siddiqui’s case being prioritized among the over 60 pardon requests on Biden’s desk. He urged the president to consider her situation with compassion.
The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), a U.S.-based organization, supported the delegation’s efforts.
Following a meeting with Senator Van Hollen, Senator Butt characterized the visit as part of a “sustained diplomatic effort” led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who had previously urged President Biden to grant clemency for Siddiqui due to her declining health.
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Dr. Siddiqui, born in Karachi, moved to the U.S. in 1990 on a student visa and earned a doctorate in neuroscience.
She was later implicated in terrorism-related activities and was convicted in 2010 after a controversial trial, which sparked protests in Pakistan, where many view her as a symbol of resistance against injustice.
Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, hinted at potential political implications, suggesting that the incoming Trump administration could face calls from supporters of Imran Khan to negotiate a deal involving Siddiqui’s release.
