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Mother of doctor Amir Aziz kisses her son after his release in Lahore November 19, 2002
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By
Asif Farooqi, IOL Pakistan correspondent
ISLAMABAD,
November 20 (IslamOnline) - Pakistani renowned surgeon and
philanthropist, Dr. Amir Aziz who was released Tuesday, November 19,
after being questioned by the U.S. intelligence agencies for a month,
said he was suspected of helping alleged terrorists to develop weapons
of mass destruction.
Speaking
on the phone from his residence in Lahore where he turned up after one
month’s detention late Monday, Dr. Amir told IslamOnline the U.S.
agencies were suspecting him of supporting Osama bin Laden, his
network and Taliban in developing chemical, radiological, biological
and nuclear weapons.
“FBI
and CIA agents used to question me for hours everyday on the same
lines” Amir said.
Amir,
known for his support for religious and medical charities, was picked
up by local intelligence agencies last month for his alleged links
with Al-Qaeda.
However,
pressure from the mainstream political parties, religious groups,
non-governmental organizations and a warning by court kept the
government restrained from handing him over to the U.S. authorities
despite a clear demand for his custody by the U.S. government.
Amir’s
family had moved the High Court against his illegal detention and
probable extradition to the US authorities. The Court had asked the
government to produce Amir before the court on Tuesday, the day when
he was released.
Narrating
his ordeal, Amir said he was picked up by Pakistani agencies on
October 21 from his residence and was kept in the federal Capital,
Islamabad where members of American FBI and CIA questioned him.
“They
alleged that I was helping them (Al-Qaeda and Taliban) in making
chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons. These
allegations are ridiculous and proved to be the same during the
month-long interrogation” Amir said.
“They
wanted to know whether I have any contact with Bin Laden and whether I
was aware of his whereabouts. They also asked me whether I have
treated Bin Laden or any of his close aides.”
The
general public has welcomed the release of Amir, who is also known for
his charity hospital and other social activities.
His
native home at an officer’s colony in Lahore was crowded with his
well-wishers when news of his release went public. Newspapers also
gave prominent coverage to the news of his return
“This
is the question of our sovereignty. Are we a sovereign nation, if it
is so, Dr. Amir has every right to be released” Sultan Hasan, a
university student said.
Ali
Ahmed, a retired civil servant who once was treated by Amir, said the
Pakistani government should put some limits to its so called support
for the U.S. government.
“You
can not arrest and leave on the mercy of U.S. interrogates respectable
Pakistani citizens” he said.
Amir
is not the only Pakistani professional who has suffered this treatment
by the Pakistani government.
Dr.
Bashir Ud Din Mehmood a renowned nuclear scientist and one of the
pioneers of Pakistan’s nuclear programs was arrested and released
exactly a year ago in exactly the same manner under the same
allegations.
Dr.
Mehmood, popular among religious circles, was picked up by Pakistani
agencies to be questioned by the FBI for his alleged support to
Al-Qaeda in its bid to develop chemical weapons. He was released after
more than one month’s detention.
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