No bargain for Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release: FM Qureshi

Foreign minister denies reports of talks with the US on Dr Shakeel Afridi's release in return

Dr Aafia Siddiqui is the daughter of the nation and we wish that she returns to Pakistan, but we will not bargain with the US for her release, said Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday.

Talking to media in Multan, Qureshi said he wishes Aafia's return to the country, which she could complete the rest of her imprisonment. This, he added, will also provide solace to her family.

"We are making diplomatic efforts to bring Aafia back," the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader said. "However, there have been no understanding to release Shakeel Afridi or for Raymond Davis [who was released earlier]."



On Thursday, the Foreign Office said Pakistan had raised the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui during the recent visit of senior US diplomat Ambassador Alice Wells.

On the same day, the foreign minister said Pakistan will extend help to Aafia Siddique as per the law to lessen her difficulties.

Aafia, who has been serving an 86 years imprisonment in the US for allegedly attacking the US soldiers in Afghanistan and having links to Al Qaeda, recently wrote a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, seeking his help for her release.