Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has expressed its expectation for the government to make a decisive decision regarding the prisoners transfer agreement linked to the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.

According to Aafia Movement, during Friday’s session, Mr. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaque Khan reviewed a petition from Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, who is advocating for her sister’s release and repatriation. The court highlighted ongoing discussions about the prisoners transfer agreement, noting some progress but not at the expected pace. The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) mentioned that alternative options are being considered and promised further updates at the next hearing.

The court questioned the constraints of the 1993 Convention on the government’s ability to refuse prisoner exchanges for valid reasons, to which responses indicated no such limitations exist. The AAG raised concerns about potential implications from other countries in the convention, but the court found the arguments sufficient to proceed. The court granted a four-week period for the government to finalize its stance, emphasizing that a mere acknowledgment of ongoing deliberations would be insufficient at the next session.