Government’s Response on Proposal to Exchange Shakil Afridi for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s Release

Islamabad: In the case regarding the release and repatriation of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, the federal government informed the Islamabad High Court that the proposal to exchange Shakil Afridi for Aafia Siddiqui’s release is not feasible.
Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan presided over the hearing concerning Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release and return to Pakistan. During the proceedings, Additional Attorney General Manzoor Iqbal Dogal informed the court that the suggestion of swapping Aafia Siddiqui’s release with Shakil Afridi’s handover, proposed by Aafia’s U.S. lawyer Clive Smith, was not practical.
The Additional Attorney General raised concerns about certain aspects of the petition draft filed by Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s U.S. lawyer in the U.S. court. Justice Khan expressed surprise at the government’s reversal of support for the petition, stating that the statement from the government regarding Aafia Siddiqui’s case had left the court astonished.
The Islamabad High Court ordered the Additional Attorney General to seek instructions from the government and report on any objections to the petition filed in the U.S. court. The court has requested a response by next Friday.
The Additional Attorney General further argued that both Aafia Siddiqui and Shakil Afridi are Pakistani citizens, and that Pakistan has no agreement for the exchange of prisoners with the U.S. Justice Khan inquired about Shakil Afridi’s significance to the U.S. and the status of his case. Judicial Assistant Zainab Janjua clarified that Afridi is convicted and his appeal is pending before the Peshawar High Court.
Fauzia Siddiqui’s lawyer, Imran Shafique, stated that Afridi is accused of espionage and providing assistance to the U.S. The Additional Attorney General mentioned that a response was submitted on February 19, indicating that President Joe Biden had rejected the request but did not respond to the letter.
Justice Khan remarked that the White House did not even acknowledge the letter, questioning the diplomatic norms in such situations. The Islamabad High Court has adjourned the case until next Friday.