IHC seeks govt reply over prisoner swap

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a reply from the government over Dr Aafia Siddiqui's lawyer's suggestion to hand over Dr Shakeel Afridi to the US in return for Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

IHC Judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan heard a petition seeking Dr Aafia Siddiqui's release from the US prison. During the hearing, Clive Smith, lawyer for Dr Aafia Siddiqui, submitted a new declaration in the court.

He suggested that Dr Aafia be swapped with Dr Shakeel Afridi.

The court solicited the government's response over the suggestion till February 21.

The IHC judge remarked that the letter written by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to former US president Joe Biden remained unanswered. He inquired as to what initiative was taken by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in this regard.

The Foreign Office representative informed the court that Ministry for Interior additional secretary held a meeting with interim US envoy. The court directed the government to respond each and every question of the declaration and adjourned the hearing till February 21.