The Federal Government on Friday informed the Superior Court of Islamabad (IHC) on a proposal to exchange Dr. Aafia Siddiqui for Shakeel Afridi.
IHC Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard a request that sought the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui of the US prison.
During the hearing, the additional attorney general Manzoor Iqbal Dogar argued that the proposal to deliver Aphridi in exchange for Siddiqui’s release was not feasible.
The proposal was originally suggested by Dr. Siddiqui’s lawyer, Clive Smith, as part of the efforts to ensure his release.
He also raised concerns regarding the problems in a draft of the petition presented in an American court on the case of Dr. Siddiqui. Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan expressed surprise for the government’s position, which seemed to retract support for Siddiqui’s request for liberation in the United States court.
The IHC ordered the law officer to consult with the government and respond to any objection raised by the hearing next Friday.
Dogar also pointed out that both Shakeel Afridi and Aafia Siddiqui are Pakistani citizens and emphasized that Pakistan has no agreement with the United States in prison exchanges.
During the hearing, Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq asked about Aphridi’s importance for the United States and requested an update on his case.
Zainab Janjua, Court’s assistant, informed the court that Shakeel Afridi is convicted, and his appeal is still pending in the Superior Court of Peshawar (PHC).
Fauzia Siddiqui’s lawyer, Imran Shafiq, mentioned that Aphridi faces spying charges and providing assistance.
Iqbal Dogar also informed the Court that a letter was presented on the matter on February 19, but the former president of the United States, Joe Biden, had rejected the request without recognizing it.
To this, Judge Khan raised concerns about the lack of a response from the White House and questioned the diplomatic property of sending an unanswered letter.
Sub., The IHC postponed the audience of the case until next Friday.
Aafia Siddiqui currently celebrates a sentence of 86 years in the United States, after his conviction for a federal court in New York in 2010 for attempted murder and other positions.
