Doctor examines Aafia Siddiqui following U.S. court orders

CNews NEW YORK: Pakistani detainee, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the wounded Pakistani neuroscientist, was on Tuesday examined by a medical doctor at the Metropolitan Detention Centre where she is being held since August 4, according to informed sources. The order for providing a doctor to examine Ms. Siddiqui within 24 hours was given by a U.S. judge at her bail hearing in the Federal District Court in New York on Monday.Judge Henry Pitman was reacting to her defence lawyers pleas for immediate medical attention for their client, who is suffering from gunshot wounds she sustained on July 18 during, what the prosecution claims, was an encounter with FBI agents and U.S. troops.They pointed out that she has not seen a doctor since arriving here a week ago and said that her health is worsening since she sustained bullet wounds July 18 during what the prosecution claims was an encounter with FBI agents and U.S. troops. The lawyers also listed other potential health problems including brain damage and loss of a kidney and said she lacked painkillers. Pakistan's Ambassador Husain Haqqani also sought U.S. State Department intervention in seeking medical facilities for Ms. Siddiqi, whose bail hearing was postponed by the judge till September 3 while she undergoes treatment. The sources said Ms. Siddqui's defence was informed that a medical doctor had seen her. The doctor will advise whether she can remain in prison, or should be moved, as requested by her lawyers, to a hospital. A Pakistani diplomat, Saqib Rauf, Vice Consul at the Pakistani Consulate General in New York, also attended the bail hearing.