The US State Department has vowed to explore innovative approaches tosecure the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi from prison in Pakistan after a USlawmaker proposed a potential exchange for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
Dr. Shakil Afridi faced accusations of assisting the US in locating Osamabin Laden in 2011 and was subsequently sentenced to 33 years in prison thefollowing year.ALSO READ
On the other hand, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is currently serving her sentenceafter a 2010 verdict in a Manhattan court found her guilty of opening fireat US soldiers while in Afghanistan’s custody.
The suggestion of a swap between the two prisoners emerged during a recenthearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the 2024 budget for theSouth and Central Asian region.
US Congressman Brad Sherman confronted Principal Deputy Assistant Secretaryof State Elizabeth Horst, inquiring whether she or someone from thedepartment would participate in an upcoming hearing on democracy and humanrights in Pakistan, scheduled for July 26.
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During the discussion, Congressman Sherman stressed the significance of theoperation that led to the elimination of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in2011.
He highlighted Dr. Afridi’s pivotal role in locating the terrorist leader,referring to him as the “24th member” of the 23-person US team involved inthe operation.ALSO READ
Concerned about Dr. Afridi’s imprisonment, Congressman Sherman questionedif the State Department was prepared to take unconventional measures tosecure his release, even proposing a potential exchange with Dr. Siddiqui.