A US lawmaker on Wednesday said he would move an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act to prohibit military aid to Pakistan until it releases the doctor who had helped the CIA track al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
“Pakistan held a sham trial that put Dr Shakeel Afridi away for 33 years. He has been tortured and has already spent over two years of his life in prison. Dr Afridi is a hero and we shouldn’t be sending tax payer dollars to his jail keepers,” Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said.
Rohrabacher has unsuccessfully moved several similar resolutions in the past.
“There is no doubt whose side Pakistan’s leaders are on; their actions could not speak louder. Pakistan actively funds and directs terrorist organisations who murder American soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan and India. All Americans owe Dr Afridi a debt of gratitude, it is time we honour that,” he said.
Rohrabacher is also offering an amendment that would ensure Pakistan did not use its military or any funds or equipment provided by the United States to persecute minority groups for their legitimate and nonviolent political and religious beliefs, including the Balochi, Sindhi, and Hazara ethnic groups and minority religious groups, including Christian, Hindu and Ahmadiyya communities.