IHC seeks reply on plea for Dr Aafia’s return
ISLAMABAD: A single bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday again directed the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to submit replies by February 25 to a petition seeking the return of Pakistani scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui to the country.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Aslam was hearing the petition filed by Barrister Javed Jafferi against the detention of Dr Aafia, a Pakistan-born American neuroscientist, by United States authorities.
The lawyer informed the bench that the government had so far failed to ensure Aafia’s return to Pakistan, even after the lapse of six weeks allowed by the IHC for the purpose. He sought the court’s direction to the government to file a case in the International Court of Justice to seek Aafia’s repatriation. Jafferi said Dr Aafia’s extradition to the US was not only in violation of the country’s constitution, but also breached international human rights laws.
SOURCE: www.dailytimes.com.pk
