AAFIA MOVEMENT

ڈاکٹر عافیہ صدیقی پر لکھے گئے مقابلہ مضمون و نظم نویسی کے نتائج کا اعلان کردیا گیا

 ‘Rulers deprived Aafia of her constitutional rights as Pakistani citizen’

Karachi, May 17: Pakistani rulers have even deprived the daughter of the nation, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, of her constitutional rights as a Pakistani citizen, said speakers of a moot to distribute prizes amongst winners of the international article and poetry writing competition on the issue of atrocities being meted out to innocent Aafia.

The ceremony was hosted by Aafia Welfare Trust at Faran Club here, presided over by Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed. President Pasban Pakistan Altaf Shakoor was the chief guest.

In his presidential address, Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed said the articles and poems written on Dr Aafia depict the feelings of masses about Aafia Siddiqui. He said they also show that people have no hope from the rulers. He said the efforts of Aafia Welfare Trust to hone up the talent of youth are laudable. He said the verdict of the US court against Aafia is the worst decision in the history of judiciary, as it robbed the accused of her right to defend herself. He said the lawsuit of Aafia to reopen her case and her appeal against her illegal conviction are very strong from the legal point of view. He said as a Pakistani citizen it is the constitutional right of Aafia Siddiqui that the government of Pakistan provides full assistance in her case.

Pasban leader Altaf Shakoor said had the previous and sitting Pakistani rulers discharged their constitutional obligations the daughter of the nation would not have to file the appeal against her illegal conviction. He said the appeal of Aafia against her cruel 86-year imprisonment is shameful for the government of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, for which he should tender apology before the nation.  He said the whole nation, saving its spineless rulers, is with the innocent sister Aafia.

Dr Fowzia Siddiqui thanking the participants said these articles and poems have given a new courage and spirit to the Aafia Movement. She said they would continue to struggle for the basic human rights of Aafia and other innocent persons who have been detained illegally like her.

As per the jury verdict the first prize in assay writing went to Abdul Hafeez Ameerpuri of Bahawalpur, second to Jamia Banoria Town student Muhammad Yasir Sultan, and third to Jamia Darul Uloom Korangi student Muhammad Ahsan. In poetry writing Jamia Darul Uloom Korangi student Taufeequr Rehman bagged the first position, Attau-Rehman of Jamia Darul Uloom Korangi the second position and Muhammad Kashif of Darul Uloom Al-Saafa Baldia Town the third position. The other top-ten winners were the students of Madarisa Aaysha Siddiqua Pehlwan Goth, Madarisa Usman bin Affan and Arqam School Karachi. Tasneem Amjad from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia won the fifth prize in assay writing, while a special prize was given to eight-years-old Sannaullah.

Tariq Jamil, Shafiq Ajaml and Intikhab Alam Soori also spoke. A large number of students, teachers, writers, journalists and civil society members were present.