U.S. State Department Directs Aafia Siddiqui Case Inquiries to Department of Justice

US-(Special Correspondent/Webdesk): Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, recently clarified that questions concerning Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s case should be directed to the Department of Justice. “I certainly wouldn’t comment on private diplomatic discussions,” Patel said during a press briefing.

Patel also underscored the global resistance to blasphemy laws, pointing out that such legislation can endanger religious freedom and human rights.

This statement follows a request made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week, in which he urged U.S. President Joe Biden to grant clemency and release Dr. Siddiqui. She is currently serving an 86-year prison sentence after being convicted of attacking U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.

In a letter dated October 13, Prime Minister Sharif expressed concerns over Dr. Siddiqui’s deteriorating mental and physical health. “Now 52 years old, she has spent 16 years in U.S. custody. I respectfully ask you, Mr. President, to use your constitutional authority to grant her clemency and release her on humanitarian grounds,” the prime minister wrote.

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