THE PPP-led government has been evading Dr Aafia Siddiquis issue as if it was fearful of the US. However, the-God fearing people from within the country and the world over have been making their voices heard, strongly condemning the US highhandedness and its imperialist agenda for the Muslim world that demonised an innocent woman as a terrorist as part of its vilification campaign against Islam. The sight of civil society members in Lahore on Friday protesting against her imprisonment was reassuring in that it provided some hope that Dr Aafia would soon make it to freedom. Apart from the demonic way, the entire drama leading to her arrest was fabricated against her leading to a sham trail that only made a travesty of justice, the torture she has suffered at the hands of the FBI reflects poorly on the state of democracy in the USA. More importantly, it lays bare the truth behind the American penal system. But while this collective voice of the public is undoubtedly a ray of hope, it is a matter of grave concern that Islamabad is not playing its part. In the face of popular anger, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kairas remark that the government may not demand her release shows that the rulers do not care a fig about the people and their suffering. The government must realise that its paramount duty is to ensure the safety of its citizens. Failing to come to her rescue at a time when the people are all rage at the shameless act by the US will further destroy its reputation as a representative government.