The involvement of Pakistani-origin UK national Malik Faizal Akram in the siege of a house of worship in the US state of Texas reflects deep religious fanaticism between the Muslim population of Pakistan and the UK. If Akram was leading it this time, then the government of Pakistan has played an important role in radicalizing itself by promoting Islamic Jihad since the time of President Zia-ul-Haq.
Afia Siddiqui again in headlines due to siege in America
Akram led the Congregation Beth Israel’s siege in Kolivili, which demanded the release of Pakistani neuroscientist Afia Siddiqui. Afia Siddiqui is suspected of having links with Alqayta and is serving an 86-year prison term in Fort Worth Prison after pleading guilty to the 2010 murder of US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.
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Pakistan government has tried to release
In the past, the Pakistani government had also tried to release ‘Lady Al Qaeda’. A few years ago, when Barack Obama was the President of the United States, Pakistani officials sent a proposal for the woman’s release in exchange for Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl.
In 2018, the Pakistani Senate unanimously passed a resolution to take up Siddiqui’s case with the US, calling her the “Daughter of the Nation”.
Imran had raised the matter in the manifesto
Imran Khan, the current Prime Minister of Pakistan, has also campaigned for Siddiqui’s release in the past like Islamist political parties and jihadi groups.
The Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) manifesto described Siddiqui as a foreign Pakistani and said the party respected his “patriotic spirit”.
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Trying to bring back Afiya Siddiqui
The PTI manifesto said, “Overseas Pakistanis are one of our biggest assets, who have been denied their citizen’s rights and opportunities to contribute to Pakistan’s economy by previous governments. We will ensure to give voting rights to overseas Pakistanis.”
It said, “We will provide all consular and legal services to all Pakistanis in foreign prisons. We will make every effort to bring back prisoners like Dr. Afiya Siddiqui and others to Pakistan.”
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