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RIYADH – The United States is said to have established high-level contactwith Pakistani authorities to secure the release of Shakil Afridi, thedoctor who helped CIA confirm whereabouts of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad,a garrison city in Pakistan’s north, Al Arabiya English has reported.

Dr. Afridi has been languishing in jail following a 33-year sentence by atribunal for ties with terrorists, a charge he has denied. United Stateshad termed Dr. Afridi’s conviction as “unjust and unwarranted”.

Since then, power corridors in Islamabad are abuzz with the speculationsthat Pakistan may release Shakil Afridi soonest. An official of Pakistanigovernment confirmed this to Al Arabiya English on Monday.

“Yes, both Pakistan and the US are in touch on the matter relating toAfridi,” he said. He said the most recent contact was established sometimesin second week of April this year. Sources also said Pakistan and the USare currently working on a prisoner swap deal.

“It’s all about release of Shakil Afridi in exchange of Mullah Fazalullah,Pakistan’s most wanted man,” said an official source. This correspondentcouldn’t get official confirmation either by Pakistan or the US.

However, earlier this month, a spokesperson of Pakistan’s Foreign Officesaid he was not aware of any deal taking shape between the two sides.

“I am not aware of any deal regarding Dr Shakil Afridi,” Dr MohammadFaisal, the ministry spokesperson told reporters during a weekly pressbriefing. General Pervez Musharraflink>,Pakistan’s former president, recently suggested that Islamabad shouldrelease Afridi but as part of a broader agreement.

“Had I been the president now, I would have released Dr. Afridi in a giveand take deal,” media reports quoted him as saying. Musharraf said Pakistanand the US can improve bilateral relationship by releasing Shakil Afridistriking a fair deal.

“Pakistan can exchange more accommodating stance from the United States…and Afghanistan because we have a terrorist sitting there, Fazalullah,” hesaid. “I suppose the United States also knows that he’s there,” he added.Government in Islamabad is just taking time to decide as Pakistan seemsdivided on Afridi’s complex case.

Ijaz-ul-Haq, one of Pakistan’s influential politician and son of (late)General Zia-ul-Haq has advised the government not to release Shakil Afridi.“Shakil Afridi has violated sovereignty of Pakistan. How can we releasehim,” he said.

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of States, raised the issue of detention of DrAfridi during a Congressional hearing last week. Media reports quoted himas saying he will secure Afridi’s release.

“Please note that it’s in my heart. We can do that. We can achieve hisrelease,” Pompeo was quoted as saying link>.Pompeo’s remarks were perceived by members of Shakil Afridi’s family like abreath of fresh air.

Jamil Afridi, the doctor’s brother, declined to comment on Pompeo’sremarks. Off the record discussion with Shakil’s family members revealedthey were hopeful of his release. Officials in Islamabad have suggested thegovernment to release Afridi arguing that Pakistan can use this as abargaining chip.

“Relationship between Pakistan and the US has been on the “lowest ebb” asof now. Let’s release Afridi to repair ties with the US,” suggested anofficial.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Afridi’s role was limited to collect DNAsample from a compound CIA had suspected was Bin Laden’s, by engineering afake vaccination campaign.