Light of Peace

24 September 2010

The trial of Dr. Afia gained popularity in Pakistani media over the past few years. A lot of doubts were cast about the way the arrest of the lady was made, the way she and her three children were treated during the custody and the way the trial was conducted. Many questions were raised about her arrest during the previous government of General Pervez Musharaf in Pakistan. It was not clear whether the lady was handed over to the US authorities by the Pakistani government or she was arrested by the US military in Afghanistan or whether she was abducted by the US secret agents from within Pakistan and taken to Afghanistan. Similarly a lot of doubts were raised about the transparency of the investigations and the trial. One of the three children of the lady was sent to her home in Karachi Pakistan in a very mysterious way, whereas two of her young children are still missing. This has added a humanitarian aspect to the matter that became a national issue in Pakistan. A large number of political parties, the religious groups the civil society and the media are highlighting the issue. The government of Pakistan used her diplomatic channels to convince the US government to take a lenient view in this case because of its humanitarian facet. They were also conveyed that a compassionate and merciful attitude of the US government towards Dr.Afia Siddiqui will help in improving the image if the US among Pakistani nation which already tarnished due to many reasons.The US authorities should not waste this opportunity to improve bilateral, people to people relations with Pakistan that may positively support the cause of peace in the region.