Islamabad court stops extradition of US citizen of Pakistani origin

A Pakistani court has temporarily barred the extradition of a US citizen of Pakistani origin who is blamed for plotting a terrorist attack in New York.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court on Wednesday suspended the extradition order against Talha Haroon, 19, who is currently jailed in the garrison city of  Rawalpindi.  

Lawyer Tariq Asad, who petitioned the court against the order, confirmed that his client had won a judicial stay.

"The allegation was that he was planning an armed operation against a public place in New York with" Takfiri Daesh terrorist group, Asad said.

Haroon had returned from the US to Pakistan more than a year ago.

In his application to the court, Haroon's father Haroon Rashid had written that his son had been a victim of "biased and prejudiced policy against the Muslims" by US President Donald Trump.

"The story against the petitioner's son is entirely concocted and false. He is a young teenaged student and in case of extradition he may lose his life and career."

According to an order seen by some media outlets, the judge also summoned officials from the interior ministry for the next court hearing on April 11.

SS