The federal government has officially rejected a proposal to swap Shakil Afridi, who is imprisoned in Pakistan for espionage, for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, who has been incarcerated in the United States for years.
During a hearing at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), Additional Attorney General Manzoor Iqbal Dogal informed the court that the exchange proposal was not feasible. The proposal was originally suggested by Aafia Siddiqui’s American lawyer, Clive Smith.
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Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan expressed surprise at the government’s decision to withdraw support for a petition filed in the US court seeking Siddiqui’s release. The court directed the additional attorney general to consult the government and provide a formal response by next Friday regarding its objections to the petition.
The lawyer representing Dr. Aafia Siddiqui argued that Pakistan does not have a formal prisoner exchange agreement with the United States, making the proposed swap legally challenging.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan also noted that the White House had not responded to Pakistan’s letter regarding Siddiqui’s case, nor had it acknowledged receiving it. The court has now adjourned the hearing until next Friday for further proceedings.
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