* Says a delegation comprising senior politicians should talk to US politicians and Media.
* American people not aware about the facts and they should be informed
=============================================================
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan asked the rulers to send an official delegation comprising the opposition forces to visit the United States (US) for the release of Dr Aafia and to inform the people of America about the miseries faced by an innocent Pakistani lady .Government should also prosecute those responsible for abducting Dr. Aafia.
He said that not only the opposition but the people of the country should come under one umbrella if they really wanted to get back Dr Aafia with respect and honor, adding that the masses have seen the results of the efforts made by the rulers and now is the time to come out on streets for Dr Aafia.
PTI chairman Imran khan and Patron of Cage Persons Yvonne Riddley said this while addressing a crowded news conference held at the party central media Lahore office on Sunday evening. Among others party central leadership including Omer Sarfaraz Cheema, Fauzia kasuri , Javed iqbal, Saloni bukhari, Ijaz ch,nadeem bhinder, Talath Naqvi, Shabbir syal, Amin zaki, Mian khalid and others were also present on that occasion.
Talking to the representatives of the print and electronic media Mr Khan said that this is fact that due efforts could not be made for the release of Dr Aafia neither by the opposition nor by the rulers. In my opinion this is a very sensitive and big issue of the country”s soveriegnity and it should be resolved as soon as possible, he added.
Responding to a question Mr Khan said that neither the people nor the American politicians are aware about the facts about Dr Aafia and this is the time when some delegation comprising the senior politicians should visit the United States. ‘I am sure that more Americans than Pakistani people will be on roads in support of Dr Aafia, he added.
The delegation should convey the Americans politicians,US media and people about the sentiments of Pakistani community saying that if the American government will not show any soft corner towards Dr Aafia it will help to increase the hate and extremism Americans,he said.
When asked will he be the part of the delegation? Mr Khan said confidently ‘Yes off course’ adding that Nawaz Sharif should also be the part of this delegation. He said that this is not the time for ‘friendly opposition’. What I guess the opposition is not friendly but helpless because of their vested interests, he opined.
Mr Khan yet to another question he responded saying that ‘I was the first man who tried to raise voice for Dr Aafia in 2002 but her (Dr Aafia’s) family members informed him that there was a life threat to Dr Aafia and the issue was closed. Later in 2007 the issue highlighted and since than PTI is making its efforts, he added.
Patron of cage persons Yvonne Riddley speaking on that occasion said that she speak to the government’s opposition parties in Pakistan and only the opposition she see was the vibrant, challenging and independent media of Pakistan.
She said that with the exception of Imran Khan, PTI, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) only few seem prepared to really challenge the Pakistan government other than the media. She also said that real efforts needed for the release of Dr Aafia instead of hollow slogans.
Waqt TV News Report:
The Nation.
LAHORE – Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has demanded of the government to send an official delegation to the US, tasking it to effect the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, as well as to bring to book those responsible for her abduction.
He expressed these views while addressing a media conference along with British journalist and President Caged Prisoners, an NGO, Yvonne Ridley at his residence here on Sunday.
Among others, party central leadership including Umer Sarfaraz Cheema, Fauzia Kasuri, Javed Iqbal, Saloni Bukhari, Ijaz Ch, Nadeem Bhinder, Talhat Naqvi, Shabbir Sayal, Amin Zaki, Ishtiaq Malik and others were also present on this occasion.
The PTI Chairman said if the government planned to constitute a delegation for the release of Dr Aafia, he would be happy to become part of it in a bid to play a role for the freedom of Dr Aafia.
He said the Opposition should play its due role for the release of Dr Aafia if the government failed to come up to the expectations of the masses.
Imran said nobody stopped PML-N chief from playing the role of friendly opposition but he should come forward to take up the issue of Dr Aafia seriously, besides opting to become a part of the government team.
He said he was confident that the people of the US would stand in support of Dr Aafia if the government sent an official delegation to the US, as it would meet the American politicians and media over the issue and reveal the hard facts behind this case.
Imran and Yvonne Ridley said Dr Aafia’s release had become a challenge both for the government and the opposition in Pakistan.
The News
LAHORE
CHAIRMAN PTI Imran Khan has asked the rulers to send an official delegation, comprising opposition forces, to visit the United States (US) for the release of Dr Aafia and inform the people of America about the miseries faced by an innocent Pakistani woman.
Flanked by Patron of Caged Persons Yvonne Riddley, the PTI Chairman stated this while addressing a crowded news conference held at the party central media Lahore office on Sunday evening. Central Secretary Information Omer Sarfaraz Cheema, Fauzia Kasuri, Admiral (Retd) Javed Iqbal, Saloni Bokhari, Ejaz Chaudhry, Nadeem Bhinder, Talat Naqvi, Shabbir Siyal, Amin Zaki, Mian Khalid and others were also present.
Speaking on the occasion, Imran said that not only the opposition but also the people of the country should come under one umbrella if they really wanted to get back Dr Aafia with respect and honor, adding the masses had seen the results of the efforts made by the rulers and now was the time to come out on streets for Dr Aafia. The government should also prosecute those responsible for abducting Dr. Aafia, stressed Imran.
Khan further said this was a fact that due efforts could not be made for the release of Dr Aafia neither by the opposition nor by the rulers. In my opinion, this is a very sensitive and big issue of the country’s sovereignty and it should be resolved as soon as possible, he added.
Responding to a question, Imran Khan said neither the people nor the American politicians were aware of the facts about Dr Aafia and this was the time when some delegation, comprising the senior politicians, should visit the United States.
‘I am sure that more Americans than Pakistani people will be on roads in support of Dr Aafia, he added. The delegation should convey to the American politicians, US media and people about the sentiments of Pakistani community, saying if the American government will not show any soft corner towards Dr Aafia then it will help increase the hatred and extremism against Americans, he said.
Sunday, 28 Feb, 2010
The entire nation should be united on the issue as it is embarassing for the whole nation: Imran Khan.—File photo
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan has demanded that the government should send an official delegation to negotiate the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
Imran Khan while addressing a joint news conference along with British journalist Youne Ridley said the PML-N being the opposition party should raise Dr Aafia's issue in the National Assembly.
Emphasising that the government should take concrete steps for Dr Aafia's release, Imran said that the entire nation should be united on the issue as it is embarassing for the whole nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Youne Ridley claimed that most of the American politicians don't even know who Dr. Aafia siddiqui is.—DawnNews.