Islamabad:
The High Court of Islamabad (IHC) was informed on Friday that a proposal launched by the American lawyer of Dr Aafia Siddiqui for the delivery of Shakeel Afrida to the United States for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui with did not been achievable because there was no agreement between the two countries for the exchange of prisoners.
Additional Prosecutor General Munawwar Iqbal Duggal also told the IHC that the government had retained a request for a legal court for his release, citing reservations on certain points included in the project.
IHC Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan’s judge heard the petition for the release and repatriation of Dr Siddiqui. During the hearing, the court asked questions about the case of Shakeel Afridi. The court was informed that Fridida was a convicted person and his appeal was pending before the High Court of Peshawar (PHC).
Duggal said that the proposal of the American lawyer Clive Smith for the extradiation of Afridi in exchange for the publication of Dr Siddiqui was not feasible. He added that the two were Pakistani citizens and that there was no prisoner exchange treaty between Pakistan and the United States.
Duggal also underlined the government’s reservations to a appeal made to a US court by Dr Siddiqui. The court expressed his surprise in the face of the government’s withdrawal by the government and gave the Attorney General the most time to inform him of the objections.
