Pakistani officials believe meetings held with visiting Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last week in Islamabad have “reset an environment” of frosty relations, but “the step towards starting fresh relations begins with releasing Dr. Shakil Afridi,” his lawyer told Arab News.
“Until then, they can make their best efforts to mend relations, (but) it would be ineffective,” said Qamar Nadeem Afridi, the lead attorney and cousin of the jailed doctor.
The doctor has languished in prison since 2012, not including the year he was incarcerated without charge, held for interrogation after US Navy Seals killed Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden. In canvasing the aftermath of the raid, Pakistani intelligence discovered a phone with Dr. Afridi’s number that led to his arrest.