US Senate votes down bill to cut Pak aid

WASHINGTON: The US Senate early Saturday morning voted down a bill to cut aid to Pakistan until the country releases Shakil Afridi, a doctor who assisted US in locating Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Sen. Rand Paul renewed his months-long effort to compel a vote on the bill that would freeze US aid to Pakistan unless Afridi is released.

Eighty-one senators opposed Republican Sen. Rand Paul’s bill and 10 supported it.

Pakistan arrested the doctor, who allegedly helped the United States track down Osama bin Laden by running a fake vaccination program for the CIA to collect DNA.

Afridi was convicted of high treason and sentenced to 33 years in prison. The United States has sought his release.