US Senator introduces bill linking Pak aid to Dr Afridi's release

WASHINGTON: US Senator Rand Paul has introduced legislation in the Senate which seeks to eliminate aid to Pakistan until the conviction of Dr. Shakil Afridi is overturned and he is released.

Paul has submitted another bill which seeks to grant Afridi US citizenship for his efforts in leading the United States to Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad.

Last week, Paul wrote a letter to US President Barack Obama, urging a delay in the release of foreign military financing to the government of Pakistan, and to hold all aid until Afridi, the informant who assisted intelligence services in identifying the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, is released.

Earlier US State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said that the United States was still waiting for clarification from Pakistan regarding Dr. Afridi’s case. Last week it was revealed that Dr. Afridi was sentenced for his ties with a banned organization and not for helping the CIA in the hunt for Osama bin Laden.