Islamabad— Government officials have ruled out exchanging Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist in the US, for Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani doctor serving a sentence in Pakistan. Officials told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that Pakistan and the US had no prisoner swap agreement.
Afia Siddiqui’s American lawyer, Clive Smith, suggested this interaction. However, the government counsel noted that both individuals are Pakistani, complicating matters. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan questioned Pakistan’s formal correspondence with U.S. officials and criticized the White House’s inaction. He asked the government to clarify its position on Aafia Siddiqui’s foreign legal petition barriers.
Zainab Janjua, the court-appointed advisor, mentioned Shakil Afridi’s Peshawar High Court appeal, complicating the debate. Afridi is accused of espionage and foreign intelligence collaboration. Due to his apparent role in the bin Laden capture, his activities have long been controversial in Pakistan.
Lawyer Imran Shafiq stated that the Pakistani government must actively protect Aafia’s rights on behalf of her sister, Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui. He highlighted that officials must be clear, especially with a February 28 court hearing.
The court has ordered government representatives to comment on Aafia Siddiqui’s legal efforts. Many see her case as a symbol of Pakistan-U.S. diplomacy, justice, and national interests.
