The National Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed two resolutions demanding repatriation of Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the United States and condemning the publication of blasphemous caricatures in Indian press. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi moved the first resolution regarding Dr Aafia's detention in the US. The Lower House expressed concern at the arrest and detention of a Pakistani national in the US and media reports about her deteriorating health. Legislators said that information about Aafia's children should be made available. The House called upon the government to take up the matter with US authorities and said Aafia should be provided necessary medical assistance including hospitalisation and a female doctor for medical examination and treatment.
The parliament demanded that Aafia's religious beliefs should be respected and she should be provided consular and allowed regular family visits.
The National Assembly called upon the government to take up the matter with the US authorities to get immediate information about the whereabouts of her children. The children should be placed under the custody of Aafia's family or Pakistani authorities, the House demanded.
Afghan police arrested Aafia after becoming suspicious of her behaviour outside the provincial governor's compound in Ghazni on July 17, according to the US Department of Justice. Aafia had resurfaced after being declared missing for five years by human rights groups. Law Minister Farooq Naik moved the other resolution. It said that having been hurt over the publication of imaginary caricatures and pictures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions in an Indian newspaper, the House strongly condemned the blasphemous act on the part of the newspaper, The Hindustan Times.
The House demanded that the government lodge a strong protest with the Indian government and summon the Indian high commissioner to the Foreign Office to convey to him the resentment and sentiments of the Muslims in Pakistan.