[Dawn] Interior Minister Rehman Malik sent a letter on Saturday to the United States Attorney General calling for repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui to Pakistain.
He said as the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui had become a matter of public concern in Pakistain, her repatriation would create goodwill for the US.
| All the money and arms we give you every year creates as much Pakistani good will as we are able to handle. So sorry. |
Mr Malik said there was also a humanitarian side to the episode as two of her children were living in uncertainty. "The old mother of Dr Siddiqui is suffering from depression," the letter said.
| There are always trade-offs when a woman has both children and a career, whether or not a paycheck is involved. Perhaps Dr. Siddiqui should have chosen a career less likely to end in her death or permanent imprisonment far from home. |
The minister further stated that Dr Aafia Siddiqui could be deported to Pakistain under the UN Convention on prisoners. "I would appreciate if you personally look into the matter and use your good office for helping in the repatriation of Dr Siddiqui to Pakistain."
He added that there were over 90 precedents in the legal history of the US where cases against such individuals were dropped on humanitarian grounds.
| I can't imagine a single one of those cases involved a career terrorist, though. |
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