KARACHI - Aafia Movement Pakistan leader Dr Fowzia Siddiqui has asked the government to give respect, security and justice to the citizens for making a better and stronger Pakistan.

In a statement issued here on the eve of New Year on Saturday, she appealed to the nation for special prayers so that the year of 2018 could bring peace, prosperity and safety for the whole Ummah, including Pakistan. She prayed that may the New Year bring with it the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and other missing and illegally detained persons. She also prayed that Pakistan may get brave and daring leaders who could restore the glory and pride of this nation. Dr Fowzia said the end of year 2017 would add yet another year of Dr Aafia in illegal detention and in fact by the year end she would complete her 5390 days in inhuman and illegal detention. She was of the view that the biggest tragedy of the year 2017 was not writing a letter by the Pakistani rulers to the American administration for the repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui. She said, “We welcome the statement of the ISPR that there would be no compromise on the national pride and honour.”

She said after this welcoming statement by Major General Asif Ghafoor, now parliament and other state institutions needed to play their due role for getting Pakistan a due and honorable status in the world.

She said steps should be taken so that Aafia Siddiqui could have the facility of telephonic conversation with her family. She said the verdicts of Sindh, Lahore and Islamabad high courts as well as of the federal ombudsman on the issue of Aafia’s detention were still awaiting implementation.