ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the signing of Council of Europe Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons to facilitate the repatriation of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, presently imprisoned in the US.

The federal cabinet met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM's office, said a press release.

After due consideration, the cabinet gave its approval for the signing of the Council of Europe Convention.

On attaining accession to this convention, the US government will be requested under the relevant provisions for the repatriation of Siddiqui.

The prime minister directed the interior minister to “fast track” the process of signing the convention.

The cabinet was apprised that instances arise from time to time that Pakistani nationals sentenced to imprisonment by US Courts could not be brought back due to an absence of any bilateral agreement or any convention to which both countries are signatories.

Under US law, a person sentenced under federal law to a term of years may only be repatriated or transferred to the country of origin if the country in question is a signatory to a prisoner transfer treaty to which the United States is also a signatory.

United States is a signatory to the convention.