Aafia Siddiqui-Shakeel Afridi swap proposal unfeasible, govt tells IHC

The federal government informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday that the proposal to exchange Dr. Aafia Siddiqui for Shakeel Afridi is not feasible.

IHC Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan was hearing a petition seeking the release of Dr. Siddiqui from U.S. custody.

During the hearing, Additional Attorney General Manzoor Iqbal Dogar stated that the proposal, which involved handing over Afridi in exchange for Siddiqui’s release, could not be implemented. The proposal had been put forward by Dr. Siddiqui’s counsel, Clive Smith, as part of efforts to secure her release.

Dogar also raised concerns regarding issues in a draft petition filed in a U.S. court concerning Dr. Siddiqui’s case. Justice Khan expressed surprise at the government's apparent retraction of support for Siddiqui’s petition for release in the U.S.

Read more: Fowzia Siddiqui lashes out at govt

The IHC directed the law officer to consult with the government and provide a response to any objections raised by the next Friday’s hearing.

Dogar further emphasized that both Afridi and Siddiqui are Pakistani nationals and that Pakistan has no agreement with the U.S. regarding prisoner exchanges.

Justice Khan inquired about Afridi’s importance to the U.S. and asked for an update on his case. Court assistant Zainab Janjua informed the court that Afridi is convicted, with his appeal still pending in the Peshawar High Court.

Fauzia Siddiqui’s lawyer, Imran Shafiq, noted that Afridi faces charges of espionage and providing assistance.

Dogar also informed the court that a letter on the matter had been submitted on February 19, but former U.S. President Joe Biden rejected the request without acknowledging it.

Justice Khan raised concerns about the lack of response from the White House, questioning the diplomatic propriety of sending a letter without a reply.

The IHC postponed the hearing of the case until next Friday.

Aafia Siddiqui is currently serving an 86-year sentence in the U.S. following her conviction by a federal court in New York in 2010 on charges including attempted murder.