Shakil Afridi’s extradition to the US in exchange for Aafia Siddiqui, the government’s response revealed
Islamabad: In the case related to Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s release and repatriation, the Federal Government has informed the Islamabad High Court about the extradition of Shakeel Afridi in exchange for his release as Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard the case related to the release and repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui.
Federal government lawyer Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal informed the court that the proposal to extradite Shakeel Afridi in exchange for the release of Aafia Siddiqui is not feasible. Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s American lawyer, Clive Smith, had suggested this.
During the hearing, the Additional Attorney General argued that there were reservations about some of the things included in the draft of the petition filed by Aafia Siddiqui in the US court. Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan remarked that the government’s statement of backing down from supporting the petition for Aafia Siddiqui’s release in the US court surprised the court.
The Islamabad High Court ordered that the Additional Attorney General should take instructions from the government and tell what objections there are to Aafia Siddiqui’s petition filed in the US court. The court took instructions from the Additional Attorney General and sought a response by next Friday.
The Additional Attorney General said in his arguments that both Shakeel Afridi and Aafia Siddiqui are Pakistanis, and there is no agreement between Pakistan and the US to exchange prisoners.
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Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan inquired why Shakeel Afridi is important to the US, and what the status of Shakeel Afridi’s case is. Judicial Assistant Zainab Janjua said that Shakeel Afridi has been convicted and the appeal is pending in the Peshawar High Court.
Fauzia Siddiqui’s lawyer Imran Shafiq said that Shakeel Afridi is accused of espionage and aiding and abetting. The Additional Attorney General said that we have submitted a response in this regard on February 19, Joe Biden rejected the application but did not respond to the letter.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan remarked that the White House did not respond to the letter but did not even acknowledge it, what are the diplomatic norms if one country writes a letter to another, what happens?
The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of the case until next Friday.
