WASHINGTON – *The United States said that Pakistan’s Foreign Officecontacted them over reported misbehavior with Pakistani convicted scientistDr Aafia Siddiqui. According to the State Department, prisoners in Americaare dealt with according to the law.*

Pakistan’s Foreign Office had demanded investigations into a reportsubmitted by Pakistan’s consul-general in Houston, Aisha Farooqui, whichspoke of abuse in jail. Farooqui met Dr Siddiqui on May 23. According toFarooqui, Dr Siddiqui complained about physical and sexual abuse by prisonstaff.

In 2010, a US court convicted Siddiqui, who was then 46 years old, oncharges of attempted murder and assault of US personnel in Afghanistan. Sheis serving an 86-year jail term at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, inFort Worth, Texas.

Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammed Faisal said that Farooqui hadinformed Islamabad about her meeting with Siddiqui.

“Dr Aafia Siddiqui has informed our consul-general about her oppression injail,” he said during a press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday.

The State Department, through its spokesperson, said that the Pakistani FOhad reached out to them over reported misbehaviour with Dr Siddiqui.