Pakistan, US may sign prisoner swap deal

Delegation set to depart for US to meet Dr Aafia Siddiqui, IHC told

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday that Pakistan has proposed a bilateral prisoner transfer agreement to the United States.

The government also told the court that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved a plan to send a delegation to the US to meet the incarcerated Pakistani neuroscientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

This delegation will include both serving and former parliamentarians, a senior retired or serving army official, doctors, and Dr Aafia's sister, Dr Fauzia Siddiqui.

The information was presented before a single-member bench of the IHC, presided over by Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan, during a hearing on a petition filed by Dr Fauzia Siddiqui seeking her sister's repatriation.

A representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the ministry had shared a proposal for a prisoner exchange agreement with the US.

When the court inquired about the expected timeframe for a response on the prisoner transfer agreement, the ministry representative said a reply might come soon.

During the hearing, Islamabad additional attorney general said a delegation, including doctors from Pakistan, is being prepared to assess Dr Aafia's health.

The petitioner's lawyer noted that the prime minister has approved sending the delegation to the US. Court adviser Zainab Janjua supported Dr Fauzia's request, emphasizing the need for Dr Aafia to undergo a medical examination conducted by doctors from Pakistan.

The court adjourned the hearing until next week.

A Pakistani neuroscientist educated in the United States, Dr Aafia was arrested in Afghanistan in 2008 and later convicted by a US court on charges of attempted murder of American personnel. Her conviction was based on allegations that, while in custody, she attempted to shoot US officers.