ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the proposed exchange of Dr Aafia Siddiqui for Shakeel Afridi is not a viable option.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan presided over a petition for the return of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from an American jail. Additional Attorney General (AAG) Manzoor Iqbal Dogar argued that the exchange is not possible, and indicating that Pakistan has no prisoner or exchange agreement with the United States.
The exchange proposal was initially presented by Dr. Siddiqui’s lawyer, Clive Smith as part of diplomatic efforts to secure his release. However, the government’s position appeared to have changed, which raised concerns about his commitment to support his case in the US legal system.
Justice Khan expressed surprise at not supporting the government for a petition filed in the US court in connection with the release of Siddiqui. He directed the law officer to consult the concerned authorities and submit a response to any objection through the next hearing, which is scheduled on Friday.
During the proceedings, the court inquired about the interest of the US government in Shakeel Afridi, a Pakistani doctor, who was imprisoned in Pakistan, who was charged with alleged role in helping the CIA track Osama bin Laden. – Zainab Janjua told the bench that Afridi had been sentenced, and his appeal was still pending before the Peshawar High Court.
Imran Shafiq, a lawyer representing Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s sister, Fawzia Siddiqui, highlighted that Afridi faced allegations of spying and assisting a foreign intelligence agency.
AAG Dogar further revealed that Pakistan had submitted a letter regarding Aafia Siddiqui’s case on February 19, but the Biden administration rejected it without any official confession.
Justice Khan, while questioning the diplomatic view, criticized the lack of formal response from the United States, and asked if the letter had been properly obtained at the official level. He directed the officials to provide further clarification on the matter at the next hearing.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a neuro scientist, was convicted by a US federal court in 2010 for trying to kill US officials in Afghanistan. She is currently facing an 86 -year sentence in a Texas prison.
The matter has become a sensitive diplomatic issue between Pakistan and the United States, which has been repeatedly called in various constituencies in Pakistan to release. However, the lack of legal framework for prisoner exchange has made negotiations difficult.
The court will resume the hearing next Friday, with more government explanation, it is expected whether Pakistan will follow the issue of Siddiqui through diplomatic channels.
