AAFIA SIDDIQUI CASE: The case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui remains a deeply significant issue in the context of post-9/11 counterterrorism policies. Her disappearance in 2003 and later reappearance in Afghanistan raised serious concerns, and her extradition to the United States and subsequent 86-year sentence have been widely debated, with critics questioning the fairness of the trial. Human rights organisations have also termed the punishment disproportionate. Beyond legal concerns, the case has strained Pakistan-US relations and fuelled public anger in Pakistan. This case highlights a critical global challenge in the shape of balancing national security with justice.

Izmah Shariq
Karachi

OVERSTAYING GUEST: The Middle East now has an opportunity to reconsider its relationship with Western powers. There is a growing perception that the United States has not fully upheld its promises of protection to certain countries. Instead, its presence is sometimes viewed as that of a guest who has overstayed and begun to create instability within the host’s home. Some believe that Middle Eastern countries could consider reducing or halting oil production, sending foreign consultants back to their home countries, and relying on their own financial reserves. The objective of such actions would be to continuously apply pressure until foreign military forces, particularly American, withdraw from the region.

Zahid Rashid
Islamabad

USELESS SERVICE: My daughter applied for domicile via the Domicile Management System, an app introduced by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). After filling up forms, uploading all the required documents, and making the due payment, she received a message stating: “Kindly submit the required documents at your respective AC Office”. She went there with the original documents, but was asked to repeat all the formalities of application once again. Why offer a service when the end result is to follow the same offline process?

Khalid Ejaz
Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026