Some Balance Please
“The most important human endeavor is the striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.” Albert Einstein.
One of the best lessons Islam teaches us and the one that most of us hardly care about, is the sense of balance. It is Pakistan’s misfortune that despite having some great personalities with tremendous potential, the lack of equilibrium in their approach has made our nation vulnerable. Sadly, no one has learned any lesson from history.
Only a while ago, media, lawyers and civil society, together with the masses, won the revolutionary battle for restoration of independent judiciary in the country. It seemed Pakistan was changing, paving way for the stereotype mindset to be replaced. The whole nation stood firmly behind the Lawyers’ Movement and applauded the media for their role and sacrifices. For two long years, the Judiciary “Freedom Fighter” resolutely refused to bow to the pressure and the battle continued until won.
We won the battle but lost the equilibrium, the lawyers, the media and everyone in general seem to live in delusions ever since.
Ever since the Supreme Court’s short verdict on NRO came, everyone who disliked Zardari has tried to interpret the short order according to his/her own likes and dislikes. It is understandable and perhaps insignificant if the general public takes it the way they like it but the media, some prominent lawyers and other high profile personalities, in their bias, have gone over the board to misinterpret, and misguide those who know nothing about law. This is not only malicious and devious but also serves no purpose other than throwing the already fragile country into further chaos.
The media especially has crossed all limits to ridicule Zardari and co. The media men have reduced their credentials from freedom fighters to Personal Zardari Fighters. The current situation reminds me of the amusing and one of the most famous Muppet shows of yester years “Kaliyaan”. The current “Kaliyaan” however, is a reality show with real life “Muppets”. The main characters here are: Uncle Sargam (Irfan Siddiqui), Masi Museebatey (Shaheen Sehbai), Mr. Hayga (Ansar Abbasi) and Nooni Paa (Dr. Shahid Masood). This reality show unfortunately has lost its charm and flavour for it only brings the same dragged and out of date arguments over and over again, and which have lost credibility.
We have been condemning and loathing the wrong-doings of Zardari, for the past more than two decades. What is it that the media is enlightening the public about?
There is hardly any doubt left that the current campaign is only targeting a certain person. This is not journalism, this is personal rancour. Dr. Shahid Masood comes across as a highly biased person. This so called “honest and truthful”, Shahid Masood accepted the chairmanship of PTV, an incredibly lucrative post, given to him by none other than the same corrupt person Zardari. Zardari’s past was as tainted then as now. Shahid Masood had no problems with Zardari’s ineligibility then is a big question mark on his self-proclaimed credibility.
Accountability is a necessity, black sheep must be exposed to flush the system but it should be transparent and even-handed. What about media’s accountability? Who will hold them accountable? Why doesn’t Geo show their owner’s dubious activities in Dubai? How one of their owners beat up his wife black and blue is not even known to public. Why doesn’t ARY tell us about the spite of their owner who married an actress from Karachi but abandoned her after a week and forced her to stay quiet about this? Where is media’s sincerity when it comes to their own homes? This is nothing but hypocrisy.
We know how biased our media is, most journalists are lifafa journalists. Have they ever tried to expose the black sheep within them? Almost 100% or say 99.99% of the journalists have taken plots from different governments on control rate, or at time free of charge. Isn’t this a form of bribe and corruption?
The short order on NRO did not automatically disqualify Zardari or asked for his removal. It simply states that NRO is invalid and thus all actions under it are invalid. The Swiss cases are to be open because the then Attorney General had no authority to close them. The constitutional amnesty given to the president of Pakistan was not even mentioned in the short or detailed verdict. Whether or not Zardari enjoys amnesty, should be decided by the constitutional experts and lawyers, and in the court of law not on Shahid Masood’s show. However, it is quite dubious that the Honourable Supreme Court ordered NAB to re-open the cases of Swiss money laundering. How can a government start proceeding in another country against a sitting president? It’s not about Zardari it is about the office of President of Pakistan. It’s a matter of the country’s integrity, besides the international law does not describe if a sitting President can be subject to laws of another country. Are we fine with allowing other countries to try our citizens under their laws? If that is so then why such a hue and cry over Dr. Afiya or other missing Pakistanis? Let them try our citizens the way they want to. Why the same people who are asking the SC to kick Zardari out, are not asking the parliament to initiate the impeachment process in accordance with the constitution, despite having enough people representing them in both houses?
Will Mr. Irfan Siddiqui shed some light on credit card thefts, rape cases, demolition of illegal plazas of others but not Rana Sanaullah, and the ‘Hit and run’ case of Col. Ikram, who lost his life because he was hit by Chief Secretary’s over speeding car and was left on the road to bleed to death? Where is accountability and humanity when the party in question is PML-N?
There is absolutely no doubt that Zardari has plunged this country into further chaos because of his conceit and non-political way of governance. Zardari’s failure to implement Charter of Democracy was his biggest mistake. He is a corrupt man whose sanity is questionable. The friendly opposition is letting him rob the country in all possible ways, perhaps to pave their way for a landslide victory in next elections but at what cost? At the cost of our country where the masses are deprived of even basic necessities? The opposition’s claim to strengthen democracy sounds like a poor joke; their failure to hold him accountable in the parliament is much more criminal than Zardari himself. This style of opposition is sending a very dangerous message to the masses. It suggests that parliament is not supreme, it is the agitation, julao ghairao, strikes and protests and long marches that can force the change. Haven’t we just witness how shamelessly the police in Quetta barged into the CM and Governor’s houses to protest? Thanks to the lawyers goonda gardi that has taken the whole nation hostage. This is alarming and points towards turmoil and anarchy, both of which this nation can hardly afford.
Overnight changes don’t happen and if they do, we don’t have the kind of stuff to suggest that revolutionary change. History has proved that from our soil only chaos rises so be practical and let sanity prevail. Do not look forward to the hidden hands and ‘angels’ to bring change only because you hate Zardari.
The government should be allowed time to take action on SC’s order. Mr. Zardari enjoys constitutional immunity or not, on these particular allegations, let it be SC’s discretion and avoid making it a ‘choon choon ka murabba’ by commenting and interpreting the constitutional clauses according to our personal likes and dislikes. The nation cannot afford another ethnical and provincial division after losing East Pakistan. So please take a chill pill and let the experts decided on this sensitive issue.
TOSH! So now this is the editorial policy? Good f****** luck.
What rubbish! No serious blog should be using this kind of non serious language in its editorial article. These issues can be discussed in comments.
I dun see a problem. As Mr. Nooni paa aka Dr. Dangar Masood being using his own bully pulpit. Returning the favor i would say.
Lol@Kaliyaan. Haven’t read the article so can’t comment but the picture is cute.
Isn’t this teletubbies?
@Taukeer
This is wat article is pointing out. The dishonesty of the Mr. Haiga. In article he admits that SC NRO Verdict at minimum is vague abt Presidential immunity yet still blame PM for not reinstating cases against Zardari.
The News: Is Gilani serious or playing a double game?
One of us is mad and belongs in the nut house.
This absurd article not worth reading….I just got the gist and appalled at the audacity of admin to write such garbage.
If idea is to spark the dead website by writing nonsensical controversial material make it more abominable.
I am also stunned at comparison of innocent Afia Siddiqui with hardcore corrupt Zardari…what admin trying to prove????
Criminally article start with Islamic concept of “Balance”….In the name of balance readers are asked to accept corrupt elite as ground reality and those who are after corrupt elite are malign with funni name calling.
I don’t know the personal character of those Journalists……they deserve more respect because they are using their pen against corrupt powerful and in Govt elites.
IMO admin should be more balance in his own attitude…..Depicting Zardari with horrible photo on this website with monstrous teeth leave a bad impression on visitors….that photo definitely destroy the look of web page…..A visitor must get a good impression when visit this website.
I am sure this admin should not be preaching anyone about balance.
Honestly this article is testing my patience. Agree with the thrust of your argument. The whole piece is kinda product of an immature mind, surely! And if someone was compelled to engage in jiyalism they are welcome to confine themselves to opinion pages.
@jazoo emailed you.
An Australian News Channel by the name of National Nine News (www.naltionalninene ws.com.au) is planning an evil deed of telecasting a cartoon about our Holy Prophet Mohammad (SAWS); the news channel is presently carrying out a survey whether to telecast this cartoon or not. Could you please visit the voting web page of this news channel on http://news. ninemsn.com. au/vote-archive. aspx?qid= 2109 and click on YES to ban the telecast of that cartoon. About 300,000 YES votes are needed to stop the telecast of that cartoon because near 90% viewers of this news channel have already voted that the cartoon should be telecast.
@jazoo
So u just appalled that media figures have been made fun of? Thats ur objection to the article? Why dun u counter the article where u think its wrong? Or is it that if the article wouldn’t have made fun of kaliyaan cast then article would have been ok? What exactly u find appalling in the article not to say criminal.
P.S: Regarding dead website, Trust me mate dun even advertise the site and have no interest in making it alive or not. Once again the object of website when it opened was to allow anyone who chooses to do so post it comments without fear of arbitrary censorship as applies on other websites. To that extent I think website has done its job.
Article has beeen edited and updated
Another example of judiciary run amock. The incident just happened, instead of giving a chance to executive to do thier job, Court jump in and started the proceeding. It high time Parliment should start removal proceeding for the LHC which has become a circus
Geo: Faisalabad jail chaos: LHC CJ takes
The most criminal part of the article was use of sacred Islamic concept of balance and the way it was mocked down the article.
You think Islamic concept of balance should be used to give credibility to criminals because they are in power.
Its not all about NRO and court verdict…its ongoing corruption without any necessity to feel shame or guilt.
The same corrupt people in Steel Mill who are mainly charged in FIR are still intact…the same contractor who is accused of robbing millions of dollars still working in same capacity.
I just give one example and there are dozens of them…we would never have learn about these corruptions unless Ansar Abbassi Kamran Khan and other Journalists you are so proud to make fun of, had not exposed.
Its worthy to be noted that not a single accusation by these investigative Journalists were ever denied, some of those were suomoto by SC and resulted in just action…I salute their credibility.
How ludicrous u were to talk about Islamic concept of balance and protecting the ruling elite.
If I were CJ and I have to follow Islamic principles and I have 1 million corruption cases of 1 million Pakistani citizens…one of them happened to be President of Pakistan….I will leave aside 1 minus 1 million cases and pay my full attention to President of Pakistan….If I don’t I would be doing my judicial duties to Islamic Republic of Pakistan but not my Islamic duty to Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Every conscientious Journalist of Islamic Pakistan should be doing only one duty i.e. exposing the corruption of ruling elite and that is perfectly Islamic balance…..otherwise they failed to perform their Islamic duty.
Jazoo, I am surprised to read your post. What sources do Kamran Khan, Ansar Abbasi and likes have to find information? The sources are in the GHQ. Nothing in Pakistan happens without Pindi’s consent. They are at work since 1947, these conceited assholes consider every pakistani unpatriotic except them.What are we doing to our nation? Do we want democracy or no? If we do we must discourage and disapprove the GHQ sponsored conspiracies else the democratic constitutions will never strengthen. Why did they accept Zardari at the first place? And when they have already made this mistake then they should tolerate him. Those who hate Zardari are encouraging the hidden powers to fuck the country once again. Believe me, they are malicious. I have seen them very closely, they are as corrupt as Zardari. why there is no accountability for them? I have just one question that no one has yet answered.
Why did Hazrat CJ meet Holbrooke? The day this question is answered, I would like to talk to you again on this topic.
So this is GHQ which is after Zardari.
Why don’t u or some wise adviser tell Zardari to face the trial…he would be NOT GUILTY and that would be a slap to GHQ like DEMOCRACY is best revenge with this nation.
Oh there is no doubt abt GHQ being the mover and shaker of this conspiracy. GHQ assholes let Zardari come and take over this country to screw an already screwed Pakistan. They are equally responsible for throwing this country into chaos.I hate Zardari and want to get rid of him ASAP but my dear it has to be done through proper channel. Admin is right, Zardari is becoming a martyr. Welcome our new hero AAZ, and his proud sponsorers are the GHQ morons.
BTW guys aik khabar tooti hai…I am Break News.
Rana Sana ullah, law minister, PML-n’s brightest star involved in looting, tax chori, maar peet etc etc, is Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry’s cousin.
*Blink, Blink*
Says it all…..
If its true that Rana Sanaullah is cousin of CJ…I am sure he will earn more respect.
Certainly, also he will never be held accountable in any of the courts for as long as CJ is there. Lagay raho sana ullah bhai.
@jazoo
Ur objection on article abt islamic teaching being used to mock is wrong. The article points out that what journalist are doing is biased and not in accordance with the islamic teachings that clealry stress on fairness and balance, The mockery comes of their actions not from islamic teaching.
Since u talk abt Islamic principle, the 1st tenant of Islamic judicial system is every accused is persumed innocent till proven guily and the onus of proven the guilt lies on accuser not the accused. The concept which is basis of all west and not of any so called Islamic country. In same way accused have a right to confront its accuser, when zardari and accused do that U cry foul.
Under same islamic principle wat abt false allegations. The accused goes to court and get a verdict of not guilty. Should then the accuser not be punished?
Despite all that the article doesn’t even address any corruption issue, infact if u have read the article it says
At no point article raise qts abt journalist Kamran Khan, the rest mentioned does have their own agenda. Now qts is can u deny
1 – Irfan Siddiqui favors PML – N and is their spokeperson? At minimum he has PML – N bias?
2 – Dr. Shahid Masood is self professed Jiyala and has close relatiionship with Gov. Sindh Ebad of MQM? He did leave Geo and accepted PTV chairmanship (highly lucrative job) and he started his bhashan after he was kicked out of PTV?
3 – Shaheen Shebai has close ties with establishment. Infact he has been on payroll of ISI and GHQ?
4 – Ansar Abbasi: Didn’t he runs behind the scene Pkpol? Wasn’t he the one who provided Pkpol with all the scoops. Does anyone doubts Ansar Abbasi at minimum has right wing leanings and thus is ideologically at odds with PPP?
So once again plz read the article and try to address the issues raised by it. BTW of the mentioned cast only Ansar abbasi is a journalist, rest are commentators. They have thier views I dun have to agree with all their views.
When I wrote Kamran Khan I knew well that you did not have mentioned him in this article but in some other post u have rewarded him with same insults…now probably u have change ur mind.
First tenet of Islamic principle accused is not guilty is alright and if not guilty accuser should be punished.
No one says Zardari is guilty…He is charged with tons of corruption…..its his prime Islamic responsibility to absolve himself of all charges and its not wise for someone quoting Islamic balance and still believing in his immunity in his office.
If constitution had given him unislamic immunity then for God’s don’t give it cover of Islamic balance.
When u talk about Islamic balance then u should also talk about first accountable is ruler or khalifa…..doesn’t matter he claimed to be Islamic ruler or not…u are talking about Islamic balance.
Actually no one saying he is guilty but its also mockery of human intelligence not to consider him guilty without proven guilty from court.
Instead of clearing Swiss Charges his spoke persons claiming immunity as President.
Hiding and destroying evidence from Swiss law office….that u dare not call media trial…because those who are defending him have problem defending him when caught with 12 boxes shown on TV.
Ironically not a single denial from his people when ongoing corruptions are exposed.
Ansar Abbasi or Kamran khan may not be rich but Daily Jang is very rich which publish all these reports….What stopping Zardari to sue them for defaming him and his party with malafide intent.
Most powerful and legally protected Pakistani(President) is taking all the shit and so called lies from Daily Jang and helpless to deny them or sue them.
Afzaal Khan still thinks he is not guilty unless proven guilty and he is proud to quote as First Islamic tenet….Mockery of human intelligence is also very unislamic.
@jazoo
Once again avoid the qts and write a rant. Where did I say he zardari is not corrupt. Try reading b4 replying. Once again read my reply above and try to answer my qts.
The Powerful Testimony of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
By EL-HAJJ MAURI SAALAKHAN
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
AAFIA Siddiqui – a daughter, a sister, a mother of three, committed Muslim, social scientist, hafiz of Qur’an – needed to be heard. For years she had suffered in virtual silence…aching to be heard, to be understood, to have certain malicious untruths corrected and exposed for the lies they were. That day finally came on Thursday, January 28, 2010!
The high drama of that day’s proceedings revolved around the question of whether or not U.S. District Judge Richard Berman would grant Aafia’s repeated demand to take the stand in her own defense.
Aafia’s lawyers appeared to be animate in their opposition to her taking the stand, while the prosecution appeared (on the surface) to be in favor of Aafia being entitled to her Fifth Amendment right. Her brother (Muhammad) was apprehensive about her taking the stand, leaning more in favor of her following the advice of her lawyers. Even Pakistani Ambassador Hussain Haqqani became involved. During a short visit he was allowed with the defendant, he reportedly advised Aafia to follow the advice of her lawyers.
Aafia’s response to this collective concern was that she would make istiqara (a supplication to ALLAH Almighty for guidance on the matter); and in the end Aafia Siddiqui would be heard.
While I understood the reservations of those who were concerned about Aafia taking the stand (given all that she had already been through), I fully supported our sister’s right to be heard, and was guardedly optimistic about the potential outcome. More than anything, however, I knew that Aafia – like two young Muslim men in an Atlanta courtroom, and several young Muslim men in a New Jersey courtroom (who were eager, but manipulated into not taking the stand in their own defense not long ago) – needed to be heard! Aafia needed to have her day in court!
The process began with a preliminary (test) examination, with Aafia taking the witness stand in the absence of the jury – a kind of hearing within a hearing – to see how she would respond to that type of intensive and focused examination. After the judge determined that she was capable enough to enjoy her constitutional “right” to take the stand in her own defense, the jury was brought back into the courtroom, and it was on. (And what truly spectacular courtroom drama it turned out to be!)
The following summary is based on my notes from January 28th
Open court proceedings began late in the morning, due to a number of procedural issues that needed to be addressed behind closed doors. Once proceedings began, it did so with the judge explaining Aafia’s right, and the possible risks, of her taking the stand. There was extensive discussion about the course and extent of cross examination should Aafia decide to testify.
The government’s support of Aafia taking the stand was full of irony, given the fact that the government had repeatedly argued (during pre-trial and trial proceedings) that Aafia should not even be allowed to remain in the courtroom, because of her periodic outbursts and “uncontrollable” nature (in their view).
The First Witness
It was noted by the government that over a 12 day period, while Aafia was at the Craig Field Hospital at Bagram for critical care medical treatment, following her near fatal re-arrest in July 2008, two FBI agents had continuous access to the injured prisoner (a male and female who did not identify themselves to Aafia as FBI personnel).
FBI Special Agent Angela Sercer was the first to testify. She spoke about how she interrogated Aafia on a daily basis for the purpose of gathering “intelligence.” She described how she sat with Aafia for an average of eight hours each day, and of how they discussed the shooting incident and other related matters (discussions she said Aafia would always initiate). Agent Sercer prepared written reports, and disclosed during testimony that Aafia was never Mirandized (i.e. informed of her rights to remain silent and consult with an attorney before questioning), nor did she have access to a Pakistani consular official.
According to Sercer, Aafia mostly enjoyed her discussions with this special agent. Sercer maintained that she treated Aafia with respect and did her best to respond to Aafia’s needs – i.e. when she requested food, water, bathroom access, or when she requested a Qur’an and a scarf, or when she would complain that the “soft restraints” were too tight and needed to be loosened, etc.
Between 7/19/-8/4/08, FBI agents were posted inside and outside Aafia’s room 24 hours a day, ostensibly to insure that Aafia could not escape and to provide security for hospital personnel – despite the “soft restraints” which secured her hands and legs to the bed (in what Aafia later described as very uncomfortable positions) during her stay at this field hospital in Bagram.
The second witness
The second agent to testify was FBI Special Agent Bruce Kamerman, who had reportedly been assigned on 7/21/08. He claimed that Aafia made numerous statements, that she seemed lucid and to not be in much pain. He also insisted that there was never any coercion. He testified that Aafia had no visitors, and that no Afghan staff attended to her. He also claimed that there were occasions when Aafia would declare that her children were dead, and other times when she stated they might be living with her sister.
Following the testimony of the second agent, a hearing within the trial was held so that Aafia could give testimony (in the absence of the jury).
Aafia testified that when she first realized she was in a hospital she had tubes everywhere. She was in a narcotic state resulting from the administration of powerful drugs (one or two she could remember by name, others she couldn’t). She recalled how her hands and feet were secured uncomfortably apart. She said the agents never identified themselves as FBI, except for “Mr. Hurley.”
Aafia accused Agent Bruce Kamerman of subjecting her to “psychological torture.” She accused him of being immodest whenever he was present and medical personnel needed to examine her, and complained of how he would stand right outside the bathroom door whenever she needed to use it. She testified that Kamerman would sometimes come in the middle of the night (when he wasn’t supposed to be there), and encourage the person assigned to take a break. Aafia said she remained in a sleep deprived state as a result of his frequent presence.
During this period she never had any contact with family, nor with any Pakistani authorities. She thought that [FBI Agent] “Angela was just a nice person.”
During the cross examination Aafia spoke about being “tortured in the secret prison,” and of how she kept asking about her children. She insisted that she never opined that they might be with her sister.
(I should note here that Aafia’s testimony was consistent with information contained on an audio CD that we’ve produced on the case. On the CD, former Bagram and Guantanamo prisoner Moazam Beg recounts how the un-identified female prisoner at Bagram, known only as Prisoner 650, was identified as a Pakistani national who appeared to be in her 30s, and as someone who had been torn away from her children and who didn’t know where they were.)
Aafia also testified that she had multiple gunshot wounds; and that in addition to the gunshot wounds she had a debilitating back condition (resulting from being thrown on the floor after she was shot), persistent headaches, and an intubation tube. She also emphasized that she was in and out of consciousness; and, at times, mentally incoherent.
The video testimony of an Afghan security chief (by the name of Qadeer) was received by the court. While I had to briefly leave the court, and missed this testimony, it is my understanding that what Qadeer had to say about events at the Afghan National Police station in Ghazni – leading up to the shooting of Aafia – contradicted the testimony of a number of the government’s main witnesses.
Later in the afternoon, when Aafia testified in front of the jury, the overflow courtroom (where I was seated) was full of observers. The majority appeared to be non-Muslims in professional attire – a probable mix of court and Justice Department personnel (including interns), law students, and a few journalists. I would estimate that roughly a quarter of the observers in this overflow courtroom were made up of solid Aafia supporters – and yet the reaction to the testimony at times was both interesting and edifying.
When I returned to the courtroom (about 10 minutes into Aafia’s testimony), she was describing her academic work leading up to the achievement of her PhD at Brandeis University. She testified that after completing her doctorate studies she taught in a school, and that her interest was in cultivating the capabilities of dyslexic and other special needs children.
During this line of questioning, the monstrous image that the government had carefully crafted (with considerable support from mainstream media) of this petite young woman, had begun to be deconstructed. The real Dr. Aafia Siddiqui – the committed muslimah, the humanity-loving nurturer and educator, the gentle yet resolute mujahid for truth and justice – began to emerge with full force.
Testimony then proceeded to the events of July 17-18, 2008. Aafia testified that she remembered being concerned about the whereabouts of her missing children. She also remembered a press conference in an Afghan compound.
She testified about being tied down to a bed until she vigorously protested, and was later untied and left behind a curtain. She later heard American and Afghan voices on the other side of the curtain, and concluded that they [Americans] wanted to return her to a “secret prison” again. She testified about how she had pleaded with the Afghans not to let the Americans take her away.
She testified about peaking through the curtain into the part of the room where Afghans and Americans were talking, and how when a startled American soldier noticed her, he jumped up and yelled that the prisoner had gotten loose, and shot her in the stomach. She described how she was also shot in the side by a second person. She also described how after falling back onto the bed in the room, she was violently thrown to the floor and lost consciousness.
She testified that she was in and out of consciousness, and vaguely recalled being placed on a stretcher, a helicopter, and receiving a blood transfusion – which she protested, drawing laughter in the courtroom when she recounted how she had “threatened to sue” her medical attendants if they gave her a blood transfusion. During this testimony, Aafia animatedly rejected the allegation that she picked up a [M-4] rifle and fired it (or that she even attempted to do so).
The Cross Examination
This is the time when every eye and every ear was riveted on the proceedings. It was the moment that Aafia’s defense attorneys, her brother, and a host of Muslim and non-Muslim supporters (seated within both courtrooms) dreaded. It was also the point in the proceedings that had the prosecution salivating for what opportunities would come there way – or so they thought!
Cross examination began with Aafia revisiting the degrees that she received at MIT and Brandeis universities. She acknowledged that she took a required course in molecular biology; but emphasized that her work was in cognitive neuroscience. When questioned on whether she had ever done any work with chemicals, her response was, “only when required.”
(This opening line of questioning was significant for its prejudice producing potential in the minds of jurors. While Aafia is not being charged with any terrorism conspiracy counts, the threat of terrorism has been the pink elephant in the room throughout this troubling case!)
The prosecutor attempted to draw a sinister correlation between Aafia and her [then] husband being questioned by the FBI in 2002, and leaving the U.S. a week later. Aafia noted that there wasn’t anything sinister about the timing; they had already planned to make that trip home before the FBI visit. To underscore this point, she noted how she later returned to the U.S. to attempt to find work in her field.
One of the most heart-wrenching moments in the cross-examination was when Aafia described how she was briefly re-united with a young boy in Ghazni (July 2008) who could have been her oldest son. She spoke of how she was mentally in a daze at that time, and had not seen any of her children in five years. As a result she could not definitively (than or now) determine if that was indeed her son, Ahmed.
When asked whether she had incriminating documents in her possession on the day she was arrested, Aafia testified that the bag in her possession on the day that she was re-detained was given to her. She didn’t know what was in the bag, nor could she definitively determine if the handwriting on some of the documents was hers or not. She also mentioned on a number of occasions (to the chagrin of the prosecutor) how she was repeatedly tortured by her captors at Bagram.
She was also questioned on whether she had taken a pistol course at a firing range while a student in Boston. Her initial reaction was that she did not have any recollection of taking such a course, and when pressed further, answered “No.” When the prosecutor continued to press the issue (infusing sinister motivations in the process), Aafia admonished the prosecutor in the strong, clear voice that was heard throughout her testimony: “You can’t build a case on hate; you should build it on fact!”
Aafia testified that all she was thinking about at the time of her re-arrest in Ghazni, was “getting out of that room and not being sent back to the secret prison.” While discussions were going on between the Afghans and Americans, Aafia was searching for a way out. She repeated her assertion that she startled one of the soldiers who hollered, “She’s free! – before shooting her.
Aafia also elicited an approving reaction in the courtroom when she opined, in reaction to the government’s narration of events, she could not believe a soldier would be so irresponsible as to leave his M4 rifle on the floor unsecured.
In response to government questioning she again took the opportunity to strongly rebuke Agent Kamerman, while rejecting most of his testimony revisited by the prosecutor.
Aafia spoke highly of a number of nurses (and a doctor) who took care of her at Bagram. There was one nurse in particular that Aafia promised to mention favorably if she ever wrote a book. She then produced laughter in the courtroom again when she stated, “Since I don’t think I’m going to write a book, I’m mentioning her now.”
One of the most powerful and revealing moments in the testimony was when she spoke about the people who systematically abused her in the “secret prison” – denouncing them as “fake Americans, not real Americans.” (Because of the way their actions both violated and damaged America’s image!)
She spoke again, under cross examination, about the strong pain medication she was on, and some of the effects this medication had on her.
Aafia also mentioned how she was instructed to translate and copy something from a book while she was secretly imprisoned. During the course of this testimony which repeatedly drew the ire of an increasingly frustrated prosecutor, Aafia noted how she can now understand how people can be framed (for crimes they are not guilty of).
At this point in the proceedings, the judge ordered a brief recess. Clearly the government had thought that they would be able to control and manipulate Aafia in manner that would work in their favor; this ended up being a MAJOR MISCALCULATION. The purpose of this break in the proceedings, in my humble opinion, was to allow the prosecutor to regain her composure, and consult with fellow prosecutors for a more effective line of attack.
When testimony resumed, Aafia spoke of how she was often forced-fed information from one group of persons at the secret prison, and then made to regurgitate the same information before a different group of inquisitors. While it was presented to her as a type of “game,” she spoke of how she would be “punished” if she got something wrong.
On defense cross, Aafia was shown pictures and asked to identify herself in them. She reluctantly did so, but with a little levity, citing how unattractive and immodest the photos were.
I could not see the photos from the overflow courtroom where I was sitting, but I assume that these were the photos of an un-covered, emaciated and emotionally disfigured Aafia Siddiqui – after her horrific ordeal at the hands of American terrorists.
A final note: I sincerely believe that Aafia Siddiqui’s time spent on the witness stand on January 28th was a cathartic experience for her – but one that the prosecution, in retrospect, now deeply regrets. For any truly objective and fair-minded person who witnessed that day’s proceedings, the U.S Government’s case against Aafia Siddiqui was exposed for what it always was…a horrific and profoundly tragic miscarriage of justice!
@jazoo thankyou for posting Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s testimony. Certainly a more deserving piece to occupy the front page spot then the ridiculous and childish effort currently blemishing cyber space!
Interestingly same position being held by Athar Minallah, yet the kaliyaan cast can’t understand this lolz
Geo: Impeachment only way to remove President from office
Former Supreme Court Bar President Aitzaz Ahsan said the President of the State could be removed from his office through impeachment at the Parliament despite his ineligibility declared by the Supreme Court, Geo News reported Monday.
Talking to media at the SC compound here, he said the President has the immunity from the criminal cases under Artcle-248 of the Constitution.
The detailed verdict given by the 13-member SC bench headed by Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday in 2007 mentioned that the President has no immunity in civil cases.