ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed disappointment over singing of a bill by US President Barack Obama proposing to withhold $33 million aid to Pakistan on account of Dr Shakil Afridi’s detention.
In a statement‚ Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said that Dr Shakil Afridi is a citizen of Pakistan and accused of having violated the country’s laws. She said that his action caused immense damage to polio campaign and his case is sub-judice and he remains entitled to due process under the law.
The spokesperson said that consequently any linkage of US assistance to this case is not in keeping with the spirit of cooperation between the two countries.
Aslam said that Pakistan and the United States are engaged in building a close‚ cooperative relationship‚ based on mutual respect and mutual interest. She hoped that this process would continue to move forward in a constructive manner.
