Govt remains silent spectator as Dr Afia gets 86 years

The US finally went ahead and awarded 86 years sentence to Dr. Afia Siddiuqi on seven counts including attempted murder, as Pakistan government once again failed to keep its promises and remained only a silent spectator.

All the calls made for Dr. Afia Siddiqui’s release by her relatives as well as by the people of Pakistan including those living in the US fell on deaf ears of the US authorities who mercilessly incarcerated the mother of three.

"It is my judgment that Dr Siddiqui is sentenced to a period of incarceration of 86 years," said judge Richard Berman.

Aafia Siddiqui, 38, denounced the trial and said an appeal would be "a waste of time. I appeal to God."

“I want no bloodshed over my conviction and sentence,” Dr. Afia who was present in court said after the announcement of the sentence.

Reacting angrily to the news, Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Afia, at a press conference blamed Pakistani rulers for the sentence. “They (Pakistani rulers) failed to honour their promises to bring Dr. Afia back to Pakistan,” she added.

What went wrong? What role the government of Pakistan could have played to repatriate a woman who belonged here?