MPs delegation to visit Aafia: FO

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani parliamentarians will soon visit the United States to meet Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is detained in New York, said the foreign office spokesman, Muhammad Sadiq here on Thursday.

“A delegation of parliamentarians will visit USA to meet Dr Aafia Siddiqui currently under detention in New York,” Sadiq said while addressing his weekly briefing.

“In this regard we are seeking consular access for the visiting parliamentarians and other officials from Pakistan,” he said.

He said, “Pakistan has also taken up the issue of Dr Aafia’s repatriation to Pakistan with Bush Administration.”

He said that we were doing our best to protect Dr Aafia’s rights as prisoner under detention.

“Pakistan has also demanded that the children of Dr Aafia should be returned and the US authorities have told us that they are not in their custody. Still, we will continue with our efforts aimed at the search of her children, he said.

To a question, Sadiq that it was also incorrect that she had dual nationality adding, “she only has Pakistani nationality.”

Answering another query, he said that Pakistan had not changed its policy on Kashmir despite a war of words with India on volatile situation in Indian held Kashmir. “Pakistan also remains committed to the peace process with India,” he added.

Sadiq also said that the resignation of former President Pervez Musharraf earlier this week would have no impact on proposals mooted by him to resolve the contentious issue of Jammu and Kashmir.