As the War on Terror enters a new decade with a new administration, ghosts from the Bush era are beginning to emerge from the dark corridors of hidden detention centers, secret renditions, and elusive intrigues.
One of those ghosts whose story has been haunting the imagination of the Pakistani public for several years and recently even in Europe, is now beginning to capture the attention of Americans bold enough to enter the war’s most ghastly graveyard.
It is the ghost of Dr. Aaffia Siddiqui, a Pakistani MIT graduate and mother of three, who disappeared from the streets of Karachi in March 2003 along with her 3 children, at the time age under 6 mos, 3, and 7.
For years her family searched for her desperately, at times believing the worst; that she was dead. Then suddenly, 5 years later the ghost appeared live in the flesh, 12,000 miles from where she had disappeared.
In September 2008 the MIT Mom was brought to a Manhattan Court Room to be indicted on charges of trying to kill American soldiers and being a member of Al Qaeda. She was frail, delusional, incoherent, and wounded with a bullet wound to her abdomen dressed so badly that the judge had to order immediate medical attention. Her mugshot picture portrayed unspeakable horrors.
During the pre-trial hearing Dr. Siddiqui appeared in a complete veil, unusal for her according to family members. Her court room outbursts and body language signified a completely broken human being. Although there has been no independent assessment of her mental condition, she was clearly paranoid and incoherent. Moreover, her family has been unable to see her or communicate with her.
Few American’s are familiar with the facts surrounding her case; even less are familiar with the shocking claims being made by her family and indeed, by a majority of Pakistanis. Pakistan was so concerned with her plight that there have been resolutions passed in the parliament demanding her release. Meanwhile the western media has portrayed her as the Mata-Hari of Al-Qaeda, the female version of Chemical Ali, the “mother” of all terrorist. And much of this continues even as the prosecution made a stunning reversal when they announced to the court on January 11th that they would “not be charging” her with any connection to “any terrorist group”; This includes any connection to Al Qaeda, the Taliban, or Osama bin Laden.
However to the family, to the majority of Pakistanis, and to her growing number of supporters throughout the world, she is in fact prisoner 650, known as the “Gray Lady of Bagram”, whose shreaks and cries were so disturbing that the prisoners went on a hunger strike to demand that the torture against her stop. Several released detainees have since identified Dr. Siddiqui as the same prisoner 650 and several human rights groups also maintain that she is indeed prisoner 650. In fact, the weeks before her sudden and mysterious appearance at a police station in Afghanistan, human rights groups had been intensifying their demands to have prisoner 650 identified and produced.
Even more disturbing than what may have happened to her is what has come of her two still missing children. Though the older child who is now 13, was returned to the family in Pakistan shortly after her arrest, there is no information on the whereabouts of her two younger children who should now be age 6 and 9. Whether or not the prosecution is able to prove its limited attempted murder case to an American jury, surely no one can deny the innocence of the two missing young children.
The case of Aafia Siddiqui raises a number of mysterious questions are still to be explored. Now that the prosecution has decided not to charge her with terrorism why was she placed on the FBI’s terrorist list to begin with? What happened to her during those 5 missing years. What was the level of cooperation between Pakistani and American intelligence in her pursuit and possible abduction? What does her case mean for the future of Pakistan, U.S. relations. How does her case redefine the war on terror and the meaning of law, liberty, and human rights in 21st century America? And, the most troubling and pressing question of all; where are the children?
The trial of Aafia Siddiqui will begin on January 19th at the S.D.N.Y. courthouse at 500 Pearl St. Manhattan, New York.
We are expecting her case to wrap-up in two weeks. Cell-phones and laptops are not allowed. So we will cover as real-time as possible.
Stay tuned!
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. He has been writing on Pakistani society and politics since 1986. He has held several media, communications, and technology positions for organizations large and small. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. He works for a leading technology firm and blogs at www.ibrahimsajidmalick.com
The impact of 2005 earth quake in Pakistan was visible and hence registered to the nation and the world. However, the full impact of the devastation caused by the 2010 floods of Pakistan is yet to manifest itself. According to estimation 1/5th of the country is under water. Crops are no more. We do not know the correct death toll. We have no valid data. There is a looming threat of epidemics and malnutrition. This threat is just not restricted to the directly afflicted flood victims. It would probably seep through the civil society , lets say by october – december 2010, When it is estimated that the flood water would recede
Millions of homes in thousands of villages and towns have been destroyed. According to reports, over 20 Million people have been affected by this disaster – more than the 2004 Indonesia Tsunami, 2005 Pakistan Earthquake, and 2010 Haiti Earthquake combined and destruction is increasing each day.
Infrastructure such as dams, power stations, roads, bridges, schools, agriculture wells, and drinking water hand pumps have been severely damaged or destroyed.
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Over the course of July and early August 2010, Pakistan experienced the worst monsoon-related floods in living memory. Heavy rainfall, flash floods and riverine floods have devastated large parts of Pakistan since the arrival of seasonal monsoon rains on 22 July. Assessments of losses and damages are ongoing, but estimates place the number of affected people at more than 14 million. Over 1,200 people have died, and at least 288,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed.
The devastating flood in Pakistan had destroyed more than half of the economy of the country.The country which was already facing several other crises including terrorism,poverty,corruption,illiteracy has now hit by another challenge in the form of flood.At this crucial time ,the world has pledge to help Pakistan in any form .
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Pakistan on Sunday August 16 2010 to boost relief efforts as concerns grew about the 20 million people made homeless in one of the worst disasters to hit the country.
Authorities said more flood surges were coursing down the River Indus and other waterways in southern Sindh province and were expected to peak later Sunday, causing fresh deluges. The river, which in better times irrigates the crops of millions of farmers, is 15 miles (25 kilometers) wide at some points — 25 times wider than during normal monsoon seasons.
This is a humanitarian crisis, and one should really not consider the nationality of the families dieing due to such a crisis. It is so unfortunate that people are considering nationalities when giving aid to individuals including little children. I think this is an opportunity for people, regardless of race, religion or color, to unite.
SWO is working with the technical support of Pakistan Medical Association in effected areas of Sindh from the first day with its team of Doctors, Technicians, Nurses, Health Visitors and Caregivers. We have organized our Camps in Thatta, Shikarpur and Khairpur Districts, it’s a challenge, we need help, we urgently need following items:
1. Mosquito nets.
2. Snake Bite Injections.
3. Food stuff.
4. Tents.
5. Drinking Water.
6. US Dollars 70000
We are now excepting Donations for this nobal cause, Your one dollar can make difference.
Mehtab Qureshi
President,
Saharo Welfare Organization (Regd)
http://www.saharo-pk.com
“I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this.” – U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
@Imran: o kisi gashti maa k bachai imran teri maa ko lun.Madarchod hai tu aur madarchod hai musharraf.Gashti kai teri behan ko koi utha k lai jai ya teri maa ko tu tujhay pata chalai kisi rand maa kai kuttai bachai.@Imran:
ye to aaj ek AAFIA ka case hamare samne he jbke history z evidence k ese kai aafiaz ko waqt k muktalif firoono ne zulm k bali chrha dia…..chonke ALLAH PAK zalimoo per apni rassi daraz rakhte hen,,,,inhe to bas us waqt se darna chahiye jbke inka muqaddar dunia wa aakhirat dono jahano me ALLAH JALLE SHANAHOO ka dard nak azzaab hoga.
or ham mulalmano ko iske lie atleast apne awaaz zror uthani chahie taake kal ALLAH PAK k bargah me sharminda na hona pare.
@Uzbekistan: UZBEKISTAN GOVERNMENT HAD KIDNAPPED AND KILLED ONE PAKISTANI NATIONAL MUHAMMAD ZUBAIR in 1998 because he had beard. In last 18 years they have arrested many Pakistani national and have killed two Pakistani Nationals. BUT PAKISTANIS STILL VISIT THAT BASTARD COUNTRY TO enjoy all the immoral acts. SHAME TO ALL PAKISTANIS VISITING UZBEKISTAN.
@Adeel Usmani: Do you know what Pakistan’s constitution says? Every citizen of Pakistan is guilty unless proven otherwise. Follow your law and western law. In your country police can arrest anyone without any proof and you will have to prove yourself innocent. Fighting for a criminal.
USA AND ALL ITS ALLIES IS THE BIGGEST TERRORIST IN THE WORLD. PLEASE KEEP THEIR THINGS OUT OF OUR HOUSES AND BYCOTE THEIR PRODUCTS TO DEFEAT THEM ECONOMICALY. THEIR THOUGHT ALWAYS GOING AGAINST THE ALL MUSLIM COMMUNITY.
ALL MUSLIM NEED TO TOGETHER IF WE WAND RESPECT IN THIS WORLD
WAKE UP MUSLIMS…………………………………..!
PLEASE SHARE HANDS TO HATE USA!
guyz, i wont say imran, everyone of you saying right or wrong,
but i want to say that me myself feel really shame, i am young and have power to do something but i am living like a shameless person. My sister Afai is facing problem there and we are only commenting to each other and i am part of this now.
Feel really shameless.
Even Dog have better life. because his sense doesn’t work like human being.
Pakistan Zindabad.
Pakistan Zindabad NAHI “PAKISTAN SAY ZINDA BHAG”
i m just ashamed of this fact that …………being a Muslim and Pakistani we all can do nothing for her…………..
we are just selfish………..
wt happened???????????nothing v cudnt do anything as a human being for a human being,d wrong is just here,i leave justice on Allah Subhan o Tala,dere z a jugdement day fr all.
waiting desperatly.
I HATE USA…………………..BESHUMAR LA,NAT TM PER USA!
@hadi: Because USA doesn’t give you visa (tujhay aj visa mil jaey to kal to America may baith hoga)
yaar. jo Doctore Afai wo america nahi kar raha hai. ye kuch loog hai jo islam and pakistan kay dusman hai. ager USA kharab hai tu tum kia waha kay logo ko maroogay.. jinka koi khusoor nahi hai. unko media jo cheez potray karta hai wo usko mantee hai.
I hate isrial, hum sab ka dushman and dusre number per India.
@Imran: Imran u either shia or teri ghairat mar gai hy….!!!!
well well well,,,, all the guns are pointed to this one poor soul, Mr. Imran. Why because he dared to speak the thruth?? I get into a huge dilemma when i come across situations like these, that what kind of nation we have become, we support terrorists and extremists so openly and die hardly that we leave no stone unturned in making a spectacle out of ourselves. She is a known terrorist, she had links with them and the court proceedings in America court are vague because of a very simple reason, she is a double agent, she is working for the CIA, she is an asset of Central Investigation Agency and since they want to save their ass not letting the world know of their shaddy assets, they are not showing the “classified” evidence against her and since they have no other reason to prove why she is detained or was taken into custody, they are putting pointless allegations and now the mother of all putting her behind bars for 86 years. Their family is lying and she herself has chickened out on many occasions, perhaps “jazba-e-jihad” ki shidat kam hogae or for that matter CIA turned their back on her !!!!
Anyways this country is standing on its feet and whatever is left,, that is only because of enlightened people like us, who dare to accept their mistakes and pinpoint what is wrong and where. She being a terrorist and all, still she has got the due treatment that she deserved, now she should be handed over to Pakistani authorities, THOUGH SHE IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN !!!!!!!!!! in order to shut ignorant tarts,, who are by the way present in abundance on this thread….
Pakistan Zindabad,
Sab Se Pehlay Pakistan,
Pakistan Hamesha Paindabad.
@Saima Aslam: well if they are american citizen then this what they do !!!!!
@Adeel Usmani: they are children of a terrorist,,, and yo they are leading the court proceeding in a rubbish fashion because they are hiding something buffoon.. and that is, which might be a news to you that she is a CIA asset!!!!
@malik: well i too have a sister and i am sure you might have one too,,,, but wonder why they never get disappear and then come out of the dead in a afghan detention center!!!! BECAUSE NOR MINE OR NOR YOUR SIS HV ANY CONTACTS WITH CIA…………………
@WASS: THEY HAVE ALL THE RIGHT BECAUSE SHE IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN FOR GOD SAKE!!!!!! and ya she is their asset too,,, ever got to know that she worked for the CIA!!!!!
@Waleed: you are absolutely right moron,,, they are nonsense allegations because they are hiding the truth, they are not letting the proceeding go in the right direction because it will cause embarrassment to them,,, as they don’t reveal the identity of their under cover agents!!! WAKE UP SHE IS A CIA asset
@Nomi: that is only because of the fact that they are saving their ass by not letting the proceedings run in the right direction because then their CIA asset’s cover might blow,,, which has already happened. SHE IS CIA agent you moron.
@Yvonne Ridley: ooooh really,,, i guess you are also part of a psyops!!!!!! yo listen,, i am a regular pakistani with regular problems in my day to day life and i am only writing to you, to tell you that i as a proud and enlightened Pakistani that this CIA asset deserved what she has gone through and you keep your “psyop” theory to yourself!!!! the word is out those who want to know they already know that she is CIA
@FAWWAD: ooooh hello, Mr.halwadar friend. Your omniscient hawaldar what did he knew about this whole gig??? the “local” police is their only to do the dirty work,, which is deal with the dirt, they are only following what they are told to do and where in the world you know that it was an illegal arrest??? butt head she is an American citizen and FBI so much wanted her because you direly want to get back what’s yourz… she is a CIA asset!!!!!
@Naveed Ahmed: okay you seemed to be a good person and some one who needs to be a little educated… well my dear friend i know you are very emotional and you are very right,,, she is a women and no matter what but she’ve had enough now and she should handed over to Pakistan. but my dear friend, she was involved in dirty activites, she divorced her husband because he was not willing to go for “afghan jihad”,,, what an ass would do something like that,, ofcourse a hardcore terrorist mentality,,, and now the court proceedings and all, clearly reflects the fact that they don’t to have a clear trial because she is a CIA agent…….
@Naveed Ahmed: nd by the way she doesn’t hold any super degree,, her thesis was on how to facilitate the education of disabled children,, these are widespread rumors that she is some sort of super scientist,,, she is just another extremist mentality,,, that worked for CIA !!!!! and she is an American citizen that is why she is being heard in an American court and was handed over in the first place….
@flight lieutenant mohtsham: Mr flight lieutenant!!!!!!! i wonder have ever people like you thought that after introducing yourself,, things that you say, what impact does it have on average Pakistani?? they start quoting you,, your wazirstan part i totally agree,, but your afia story,, needs a little update… just dig some deeper you would get to know better how things are,,,, you are a flight lieutenant,, so better remain in your domain,,, this afia is a CIA asset…..
@miss shah: well Miss,, she ain’t being handed over to Pakistani authorities,,,, because this afia things is an American citizen and you don’t hand over your citizen especially when they are working for your intelligence agency !!!! ever heard about that one??? i doubt
Dr, Afia u are innocent and all the world know this.think american’s for a while, that u have to face your God one day.
And the darkest hour is just before the dawn. wassalam
@Sagheer: it like your comment keep it up@Sagheer:
court is correct at all.
@Anee: yup annie i am agree with you u r saying truth
@hadi: please khaial karo tum, kia keh rahay hoo.
SHE IS A TERRORIST WHO IGNORED HER CHILDREN AND DESERVES MAXIMUM PUNISHMENT FOR THIS DEED ON LY.
D R Aafia Siddiqui is our sis
HAM PAKISTANOU KO KUCH KARNA CHIAY EN KE LIEY
SAB KHAMOOS HO KAR BATH GAY HO
KAYA Aafia Siddiqui APKI SAGI BAHN HOTI TO AP PSY ES HAAL MAIN CHORD DATY??????????????
TO PHIR KUYN KHOMASH HAIN AP YE HAMRAY LIEAY BADNAMI KI BAT HA AJ Aafia Siddiqui PR ILZAM LAGAY GAY HA OR ONKO QAID KAR LIYA GAYA KAL AGAR HAM MAIN SE KESI KI SAGI BAHAN KESI DOSRAY COUNTARY GYE TO HO SAKTA HA OSAY BI WO QAID KAR LAIN OR KOYE JHOOTA ILZAM LAGA DAIN TO PLEZ BAHYO KUCH KARO
reza and imran are mir jaffar and mir sadiq. any how america cannot provide any proof yet and without proof they totture dr aafia. america is showing hatred to muslims. aafia is just muslims thats why she is in trouble.
@waqas ahmed khan:actually u. don,t know about the tribal persons or talbans an al quaida.
@Imran: u. know about the person in question in personnelly, please do keep your k.how yourself.
@Saima Aslam:u. knowwhere the person was arrested.
@Imran:
what ever she has done,
who the f*** america is to punish her.
@Raza:
if education is supporting the criminals like
musharaf,
america,
imran
then you must go to hell with them.
@Imran:
This person who ever he is need punishment in real.
must be brought into justice by the true muslims.
@Raza:
you are idiot to the knees, like the ones who arrested the muslims for getting money,
and its you who does so.
@Imran:
what ever she committed,
you , all your fellows, pakistani dogs and american pigs
has nothing to do with her.
@Raza:
americans muslims ke khatam karnay ka shoq ha.
awr tum jaisay amriki dalalon ko palnay ka.
please if you are muslims then recite practices (WAZAIFs AZKAAR) 100 time each ONE TASBI FOR HER in a day.1.(YAWAJ ALLAH YAWAJHANABI) 2.(DAHEELALLAH SUMA DAHEELUKUM)3.(AYATE KEREEMA) 4.(SALALAHO ALEHE WASALAM) 5.(ASTAGFERULALLAH) and SADQA 5 to 10 RUPPEE according to your pocket anywhere.NIYYAT main suwaab for Dr.Afiya sadeeqi……… SHE HAVE PASSED IN THE EYE OF ALLAH AS WELL NABI PAAK (S.A.W). her all small and big sins are forgiven by GOD.
MAY ALLAH SEND ANY LIKE M.BIN QASIM TO GET RID OFF FROM BASTURD USA@Imran:
You idiot he is arrested. By the pakistani government.
You idiots have a knee jerk reaction to anything Muslim. This woman was guilty and upto no good. Thats why she is in position that she is in. Islam ka bohot dukh tha is ko, ab bukto
Imran. I wonder how these people manage to post comments after all they need to add two single digit numbers to verify the captcha hahaha
Listen Guys who r wid American Dogs…………… All these things r in America’s hand there’s no Osama etc etc… this is only a propaganda of America to kill muslims as well…coz they know only muslims can destroy dem…. so they r afraid dat’s y doin things like this…drone attacks…kidnappin…blaming….everything which is happenning here is only a foolish steps of America….. but being a Muslim u people know v well dat the time is near when Muslims conquered the whole world……… Allah-0-Akbar…
Allah Bless us n destroy our enemies….
Ay Allah pls save our sister Dr.Afia…….
@Imran: Please just imagine her as your sister… You will never talk against her??? American’s tortured her.. for nothing. Just on the saying of Musharraf, please take a notice upon this… If you are Muslim…
to all ….. let the court decide if she is guilty or not , coz u can not judge a book by its cover , lets read it first and then know the reality , but what has been done to her in US , torture , insult and other non-human acts should stop and she shuold be treated like other humans and her case should be winded up as soon as possible ….. but yes she has to get her children back in any case and there should not be compromise in any way in this matter …..
may allah shower his blessings upon her and family and make her be free like before and i pray for her that she gets back all her children ASAP, may allah keep lost kids safe and get them back to their mom….AMEEN
DR afia was an innocent woman but americans are like beast or coward peoples and took afia from pakistan through bastard musharraf.i think that she faces all that tradagy because she was noble in kind and only working for pakistan to make bio tecnology nuclear weapons.
I HATE AMERICA ………….PLEASE WAIT AMERICA FOR NEW MUHAMMAD BIN QASIM ,THE PAST HERO.