Rally for release of Aafia

Dishonouring a woman worse crime, says Fauzia

KARACHI: Reminding that dishonouring a woman is a worse crime than contempt of court, Dr Fauzia, sister of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, asked when will justice be served to her innocent sister.

Addressing a ‘Karvan-e-Ghairat’ rally in Karachi on Sunday, she said Aafia is being used for political gains but no sincere effort has been made to bring her back. Aafia is being punished because she wanted to bring an educational reform. She said on this mother’s day not even a single phone was allowed to Aafia to talk to her mother and children.

Dr Fauzia said it has been nine years since Aafia was abducted and for the past 5 years she is locked up in a US jail for a crime she did not commit. Yet our leaders talk of democracy, parliament, and constitutional rights but strive only to save their own seats and positions. Our sister and daughter of the nation is being politicised and used, though her constitutional, religious, democratic all rights had been violated no positive action is undertaken.

Dr Fauzia said today we could all see the double standards of the Western imperialism. I ask the mothers of the West to feel in their hearts the pain that their governments had inflicted in the hearts of the mothers whose innocent children were victims of bomb blasts, the illegal war on terror and drones.

She said: “We have chosen Kati Pahari as the second event of Karvan-e-Ghairat because you are the people who are suffering and know the pain and feeling of losing a loved one and living in constant fear of the worst.”

She said yesterday even a ‘free Aafia camp’ was attacked and cowards of the establishment tried to fire from behind. “Despite all of the threats thousands of people have gathered here and stand united for honor and dignity and they are the true voice of the people”, She added.

Dr Fauzia said Aafia is being punished because she wanted to bring an educational reform. “Insha’Allah with your help on her return we will continue that dream and every child will be educated and trained according to their aptitude.”

She said Aafia’s return would be a blessing for the nation as daughters are Allah’s blessings. “I am not seeking revenge, I am not bitter, I am not a politician and nor here for any personal gain. You all know this is not about Aafia alone, this is but about us. It is our honour and our dignity which we need to regain. Our survival as a nation depends on this. If we can unite for our dignity we can emerge as a respectful people who then cannot be ridiculed or subdued.”

Referring to the contempt case, Dr Fauzia said dishonoring a woman is a worse crime than contempt of court. “The silence from the quarters of justice is deafening.” Pasban President Altaf Shakoor, Sheikh Mohammad Shakeel, Yar Mohammad and others also spoke on the occasion. ppi

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