The Islamabad High Court (IHC) heard a miscellaneous application regarding the release and repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from US custody. Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan presided over the hearing.

Clive Stafford Smith, Dr Siddiqui’s US-based lawyer, submitted a new declaration to the court. In his arguments, Smith proposed an exchange: releasing Siddiqui in return for handing over Shakil Afridi to the United States. Afridi is a Pakistani doctor who was convicted in Pakistan for his role in assisting the CIA in locating Osama bin Laden.

The court questioned the Pakistani government’s stance on this proposed exchange, demanding a response by February 21. The court also inquired about the Foreign Ministry’s actions regarding a letter written by the Pakistani Prime Minister to former US President Joe Biden, which remained unanswered. The court noted that the Additional Secretary of the Interior Ministry had met with the acting US ambassador.

Representing the government were Additional Attorney General Manzoor Iqbal Dogal, lawyer Imran Shafique, and court assistant Zainab Janjua.

Justice Ishaq Khan directed the government to respond to all questions raised in Smith’s declaration by February 21st. The hearing was adjourned until that date.