Relatives and lawyers of imprisoned Pakistani doctor Shakeel Afridi, who helped the US track down Osama bin Laden, can visit him in jail after regional officials lifted the ban on their meetings.
Afridi had helped the CIA pinpoint the compound where Laden was hiding before the 2011 raid that killed the terror mastermind.
The move, by the provincial government of Pakistan’s northwest region, came after US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan James Dobbin met with Pakistani leaders earlier this week.
The family of Afridi, who have long expressed concerns about his health and safety, and legal representatives, who have been cut off from their client, will now be able to see him once a month.
Jamil Afridi, who has appealed to the government and courts for access to his brother, said she was very happy, and would go to see him next week.
Afridi has been kept isolated in Peshawar Prison for nearly nine months.
In his last interview to Fox News, he gave details about his affection for America and his capture by Pakistan’s spy agency following the Navy SEAL raid, the report said.
Following that interview, authorities revoked several privileges from Afridi and barred his lawyers and family members from visits.
Two prison guards were arrested and a senior prison official was sacked for allegedly providing Afridi cell phones.
