Idea of "Killer Exchanged with An Innocent" Rejected by Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui

While there is a growing demand in Pakistan after the Lahore incident that the American killer should be exchanged for Dr Aafia Siddiqui as a few parliamentarians have also raised this demand, the sister of Dr Aafia says that Raymond Davis has killed three Pakistanis and blood of Pakistani nationals cannot be forgiven in return for an innocent Aafia.

Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, in an exclusive chat with The News from Karachi, said that Davis was a killer and after meeting the heirs of the deceased youth, Aafia’s family can never imagine to forgive the blood of Pakistanis against repatriation of Aafia.

She mentioned that first Aafia should be brought home with respect then the government should think of dealing the case of Davis with the Americans. “Aafia has not killed anyone; therefore, we can not demand exchange of an innocent lady with a double murderer,” said Dr Fauzia, adding that it was the time for government to negotiate with Americans regarding respectful repatriation of Dr Aafia.

She said that Aafia has been jailed for a falsely carved crime in Afghanistan whereas Davis was a daylight killer, so we should not compare the crimes of both of them. “Government should bring Americans on negotiating terms regarding Aafia; otherwise, these rulers will be kicked off from their palaces by the people of Pakistan if they handed over Davis to America.”

Dr Fauzia said that she has met the families of the three deceased youths of Lahore and after looking at the condition of mothers of those three boys, she could not demand for forgiving the blood of Pak nationals rather David should be punished under the penal law of the country for the crime which the has committed. On the other hand, a few parliamentarians have raised their voice for exchange of Davis for Dr Aafia and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf vows to establish a fund for the legal heirs of the three youths who were killed by American so that those families should not compromise on money with US. Fakhar Chathha, President PTI Traders-Wing, while talking to this correspondent said that Pakistan should make a simple deal with US: “Give us our innocent Aafia and take your double murderer Davis.” He mentioned that time has come for Pakistan to take a stand before the Americans, otherwise, world will curse on us.

He said that his party is ready to establish a fund for the heirs of three deceased youths of Lahore so that they should not accept American offer of money against blood rather ask for the extradition of Dr Aafia from America in return of Davis. It is worth mentioning here that the PTI is the only political party in the country, which has stage protests regarding American killing in Lahore. Even the protesters were baton charged in Islamabad when they tried to enter the red zone to get their protest registered in front of US embassy.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s ex-Chairman Iqbal Haider on Geo TV said that Dr Aafia has not killed any person, and the way she was produced before the American court was also condemnable. “On the other hand Davis has killed three people in broad daylight, yet immunity is being sought for the killer,” the lawyer said. He mentioned that Aafia has been sentenced for 86 years, which was again cruel whereas America wants a killer to be free. On the other hand, an SMS campaign to exchange Aafia for Davis has already started, and cyber groups, like OSAPK, have launched campaigns for Davis for Aafia.