Aafia Unheard

Terrorist! Lady Al-Qaeda! The Gray Lady of Bagram! FBI's Most Wanted! Prisoner 650!...Innocent! These and more labels have been used to describe Dr. Aafia Siddiqui; a brilliant minded young Pakistani woman, an MIT graduate, and a mother, who found herself being the focus of a case which continues to serve as an example for the War on Terror in response to 9/11. From Dr. Aafia's humble beginnings to her disappearance in 2003 surviving secret prisons, convicted of attempted murder of American officials, to her sentencing of 86 years, and more, there are numerous questions waiting to be answered. Covering the (08 CR 826) United States of America v Aafia Siddiqui case and the (14 CV 3437) Aafia Siddiqui v United States of America case documents, transcripts, government and defense witness testimonies, and the court orders, "Aafia Unheard" offers in-depth factual information about this politically controversial figure and brings forth Aafia's narrative like never before.

Aafia Unheard is a non-fiction book covering the life story of a brilliant minded young Pakistani woman, an MIT graduate, and a mother, who found herself being the focus of a case which continues to serve as an example for the war on terror in response to 9/11.  Many prisoners today from the war on terror era are making international headlines, such as the recent release of John Walker Lindh. Aafia Siddiqui is another such high profile case which has international appeal and much from the trial and her life between the years 2003-2008 remains a mystery. The author who is a Supreme court attorney in Pakistan, fought Aafia's repatriation case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan with the belief that keeping Aafia in US prison is increasing the prospect of extremism in the Muslim world. The author also believes that since the America / Taliban peace process is underway, Aafia's repatriation under condition for peaceful means, as a peace agent, can help Pakistan to counter terrorist ideologies and can help end Aafia being used by terrorist organizations for their own personal gain. This suggestion has been given while considering Dr. Aafia's educational background, experience developing Adult Educational programs, and her lifelong ambition to teach children. In this book the author has relied on Aafia's Siddiqui's court case trial documents, hearing transcripts, defense and witnesses testimonies, and the court orders to offer in depth factual information about this politically controversial figure. It brings forth Aafia's narrative like never before.  The author has also touched upon Aafia's importance for US government foreign policy in using Aafia as a bargaining exchange chip for Shakil Afridi who is imprisoned in Pakistan to have helped Americans find Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.  This book is written to raise awareness, encourage dialogue on abuses during the war on terror era, and in hopes of uncovering solutions. It hopes to reach people concerned with human rights, those who love real life mysteries, those interested in the ramifications of the war on terror, those interested in legal issues, a global audience, and more.

Born in Sialkot, Pakistan, Dawood Ghazanavi, from an early age followed the legacy of the Sayed Ghazanavi family (considered to be one of the ruling political classes in Afghanistan). He finished his LLB (Hons) Degree and trained to be a solicitor simultaneously from the University of Law in the United Kingdom. His previous works include his book "Thinking Ahead: The Role of Pakistan Diaspora in the 21st Century" and prominent Supreme Court cases: Overseas Pakistani Right to Vote, Pakistani Prisoners Detained Abroad, Freedom of Information Act 2017 Implementation, Land Reform, and Challenging the Contempt of Court Ordinance.