Ishaq Dar Speaks on Aafia Siddiqui and May 9 Cases During U.S. Visit
Washington, D.C.: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar addressed key issues related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and the May 9 cases during an interview at the Atlantic Council, a prominent U.S. think tank.
Speaking about Dr. Siddiqui, who has been imprisoned in the United States for several years, Dar stated, “I believe we should not politicize any matter. For example, when I talk about Aafia Siddiqui, who has been here for decades — only God knows how long she will remain imprisoned — I feel it would be unfair to make political judgments. If legal proceedings led to her imprisonment, then the same legal principles should apply to everyone.”
Regarding the May 9 incidents in Pakistan, Dar emphasized the importance of the rule of law. “No one should be given immunity. Just because someone is a popular political leader does not mean they have a license to incite violence or attack military installations. That is treason,” he said. “I am not a judge to make decisions, but these cases are currently before the courts.”
Dar’s remarks highlight the government’s firm stance on upholding the legal process, both in domestic matters and in sensitive international cases.
