Pak requests US to repatriate Dr Aafia

{image-Dr Aafia_13082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Washington, Aug 13: Pakistan has formally requested the US to repatriate its national Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is presently tried before a US court over terror charges. But, there are more chances of Washington declining the request. The lady doctor, a neuroscientist, was reportedly arrested in Kabul earlier this month while loitering under suspicious circumstances and later extradited to the US for trial. Washington is expected to turn down the Pakistan's request since the charge levied against her is that she attacked US security personnel with a gun in a Kabul holding facility.

The Pakistan embassy in Washington has also asked the US prison authorities not to subject Siddiqui to strip searches, since they are demeaning in the Pakistani and Islamic culture. There is also a move to have the government bear the expenses of her defence, reported the sources.

Siddiqui was on Tuesday, Aug 12 examined by a medical doctor at the Metropolitican Detention Centre according to sources. The order for providing a doctor to examine Siddiqui within 24 hours was given by a US judge at her bail hearing on Monday, Aug 13.

ANI