Dr Aafia deserved what she got

“I am not sad. I am not distressed. They are not torturing me. This is a myth and lie and its being spread among the Muslims.”

These were the words of Dr Aafia Siddiqui after the long awaited verdict was served against her on September 23. She was found guilty and was convicted of multiple charges including an attempt to murder American military personnel in Afghanistan. She has been sentenced with 86 years of imprisonment after which she called for Muslims to resist using violence.
The harsh punishment sparked an anticipated outrage in various sections of the public in different cities of Pakistan. Hundreds of activists demonstrated against the verdict by burning Israeli and American flags and chanting anti-American slogans like “Death for America” and “Down with the US system of justice”.
Leaving aside the fact that Aafia Siddiqui is an American citizen who was tried and convicted by the US judiciary after a thorough judicial process, as expected the Pakistani civil society (the so called protectors of justice), opportunist political parties and media sensationalized the whole issue and teamed up against the US courts simply because the judgment went against their wishes.
I am wondering how legal professionalism, which demands respect for the judiciary, allowed lawyers to boycott Pakistani courts for a decision taken by the US court and that too for an American citizen.
On what basis could Pakistani lawyers brand the whole US judicial system as a ‘farce’ and criticize American judiciary which is known to be one of the transparent. Those who chant for Aafia Siddiqui are busy twisting facts to play politics on the issue which has actually become a matter of national shame.
We are forcing the international community to perceive Pakistan as not only producers of terrorists but supporters of them as well.
The time has come that instead of venting our nonsensical frustration on America and Jews we should seriously mend our ways. Instead of exporting violence to Afghanistan or any part of the world we must engage in constructive activities which will help the nation to turn into a progressive state.
As Afia’s sister had ‘submitted this case in Allah’s court’ — now the family should accept what Allah has granted them. I see no reason to call for a movement in support of a terrorist who is against the very sanctity of the nation. The United States might have wrongly imposed war in Iraq or be involved in human rights abuses but that doesn’t justify Dr Aafia’s crime which could have led to mass causalities along the 9/11 pattern.
In my opinion, the decision has been served. Now the nation should move on and not indulge in activities that will embarrass Pakistan on an international level. Blaming America for the chaos in Pakistan will not serve any purpose. Their judicial system is very strong, focused and transparent. The decision was what Dr Aafia deserved.
Had Americans wanted to kill her they wouldn’t have brought her to the courts, provide her with legal counsel and allowed the media to cover the trial. We need to realize that America is neither our friend nor foe.
We need not enter into the debate of whether she was apprehended from Afghanistan or Pakistan. What matters to us is that she’s been proven guilty which is another blot on the face of Pakistan.

Unwarranted hysteria for ‘Pakistan’s Daughter’

One can only guess how many slogans we have heard over these past two years about an Al Qaeda operative and a disgraced Pakistani American scientist, Dr Aafia Siddiqui. The name “Aafia” has been a coveted logo in Pakistan where the public – including all political parties, conspiracy theorists, religious elements and activists – have exploited it to foster their interests and for political point scoring.
The same logo has created such hysteria that it has not only occupied the electronic media, blogs and newspapers but in fact Aafia has become an important celebrity on Facebook. She has become a subject of foreign diplomatic missions and negotiations all at the expense of the average Pakistani’s taxes.
So why shed tears over a racist who has expressed serious reservations against Jews all along, has married a terrorist Amir Al Balochi (nephew of the 9/11 planner), involved in transferring large sums of money to mysterious accounts of Saudi nationals, bought night goggles, body armour and military manuals and pleaded her uncle Shams ul-Hassan Faruqi to hand her over to the Taliban in Afghanistan?
Why has her case got preference over those of thousands of other women who have been killed by the Taliban, abducted by the Pakistan Army or have been victims of corporal punishments, brutal sexual harassments, domestic violence, arson, torture or kidnappings?
If the mass hysteria for Aafia Siddiqui is justified then why did we not see the same response in the cases of two other Pakistani women?
These women, Zarina Mari and Dr Shazia Khalid, are unknown compared to Aafia Siddique who even has her own tribute video released by Al Qaeda’s official media wing As-Sahab.
Zarina Mari, similar to Aafia Siddiqui, was also allegedly abducted by the army from Balochistan in 2005 and is believed to be held in captivity.
Dr Shazia Khalid, a medical doctor, was allegedly beaten and raped by an army officer at Sui Hospital in 2005. She was then put under house arrest and was denied access to lawyers, doctors and human right officials of her choice. She later left Pakistan with her family after repeated threats to her life.
Why are Zarina and Shazia, like Aafia, not called the “Daughters” of Pakistan by its hyperbolic media, Imran khan, Jamate Islami etc. None have voiced their concerns about these women like they did for Aafia Siddiqui.
The reason is quite simple and it is not that Pakistanis genuinely care about Aafia or any other women for that matter. They don’t give a penny’s worth of worry about oppression and torture of women in extra judicial detentions. Fortunately for Aafia, she was arrested by the United States of America. This is the core reason why we have witnessed the massive difference of reaction among the Pakistani media, political parties and public. Because America is despised by the Pakistani masses, the anti American opinions attached to Aafia’s name render it highly valuable as a tool for instigating and exacerbating these negative sentiments to gain points with the masses.
The elements in Pakistan who choose to stay silent on Zarina Mari’s issue but not on Aafia Siddiqui’s case are not expressing concerns about her detention or abuse by the US. They are exploiting this case to express their political hatred against the US and to score points with the public.
Now Aafia has been sentenced to 86 years imprisonment which I think is harsh. Considering the charges she faced, a 30 years sentence seems more appropriate. But she should be reckoned as a prisoner and the public should have no sympathy for her.
In my opinion it is also wrong to call her the ‘Daughter of Pakistan’ as she has done no good for the country. Instead Angelina Jolie is a more suitable candidate for this title as she has done what most Pakistanis never have – she donated $100,000 in the cause of the floods and diverted the attention of the entire world to Pakistan for their donations and aid by going through the trouble and inconvenience of visiting the affected areas herself.