Ahlul Bayt News Agency ; On Thursday, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui was convicted after a jury trial in a U.S. federal court, of assault with intent to murder her U.S. interrogators in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province.
The verdict sparked protest across Pakistan with condemnation by the government and almost all opposition parties, rights groups, students, lawyers and members of civil society.
Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a powerful group of Urdu-speaking people, held a huge rally in Karachi and the demonstrators demanded immediate release of Dr Siddiqui, who was handed down 86 years term in jail.
Dr. Siddiqui’s family categorically rejected charges against her and alleged that the former government of President Pervez Musharraf had handed her over to the United States.
The MQM founder Altaf Hussain, who is in exile in London, spoke to the rally on phone and condemned the U.S. court’s decision and said the whole nation is demanding release of Dr Siddiqui.
Hussain lashed out at the U.S. policies and said that Washington should justify its attack on Iraq, adding that tens of thousands of people were killed in Iraq under false claims.
The demonstrators were holding photographs of Dr Siddiqui and banners, inscribed with demands for her release. A large number of women also participated in the first ever biggest anti-U.S. rally since the last week conviction of Dr Siddiqui.
Hussain also condemned U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan and said that women and children are killed in these attacks and asked the U.S. authorities to justify its attacks in Pakistan.
“Who will punish those who are killing innocent people in strikes by drone aircraft,” he asked.
The MQM leaders said that 90 per cent people in the world are against the policies of the U.S. He asked Islamic countries to stand for the rights of the Muslims.
source : http://www.abna.ir
