Pakistan punished for convicting ‘traitor’

By
fraaz
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9
154

A Senate panel expressed its outrage Thursday over Pakistan’s conviction of a doctor who helped the United States track down Osama bin Laden, cutting aid to Islamabad by $33 million — $1 million for every year of the physician’s 33-year sentence for high treason, according to a Boston Globe report.
The punitive move came on top of deep reductions the Appropriations Committee had already made to President Barack Obama’s budget request for Pakistan, a reflection of the growing congressional anger over its cooperation in combatting terrorism. The overall foreign aid budget for next year had slashed more than half of the proposed assistance and threatened further reductions if Islamabad fails to open overland supply routes to U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Pushing aside any diplomatic talk, Republicans and Democrats criticized Pakistan one day after the conviction of Shakil Afridi.
The United States has called for Afridi’s release, arguing that he was acting in the interest of the United States and Pakistan.
“We need Pakistan, Pakistan needs us, but we don’t need Pakistan double-dealing and not seeing the justice in bringing Osama bin Laden to an end,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who pushed for the additional cut in aid.
He called Pakistan “a schizophrenic ally,” helping the United States at one turn, but then aiding the Haqqani network which has claimed responsibility for several attacks on Americans. The group also has ties to al-Qaida and the Taliban.
“It’s Alice in Wonderland at best,” said Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. “If this is cooperation, I’d hate like hell to see opposition.” One of the most forceful statements came from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who also serves that the chairman of the Intelligence Committee. She pointed out that Pakistan has suffered at the hands of terrorists yet misconstrued what is treason in convicting Afridi. She also insisted that Afridi was not a spy.
“This is a very sad day,” she said.
The committee approved Graham’s amendment to cut the assistance by $33 million on a 30-0 vote.
In crafting the overall legislation, the committee reduced Obama’s request to aid Pakistan by 58 percent as resentment and doubts linger on Capitol Hill a year after bin Laden was killed deep inside Pakistan.

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9 COMMENTS

  1. Forget about the outside world even in Pakistan do not agree on punishing Dr. Afridi with 33 years of imprisonment. Only a couple of weeks ago our defence minister admitted rather boasted of helping CIA in locating the whereabouts of OBL, in Pakistan. Dr. Afridi did exactly the same, but is treated as a traitor.

  2. Pakistan is a F**cked up state, full of consparcies and intrigues. Wew goals of Dr. Afridi from the goal of ISI and army. They have been agents of CIA too. Are they traitors too, The whole governemt has been asisting CIA> Are all of them traitors

  3. Thats it. We should punish US and cut off Batool Gillani from all US diplomats. That'll teach them a lesson. Instead we should start offering Asifa Zardari, Fehmida Mirza and Firdous Awan for all their cia agents entertainment 🙂

  4. Joke of a century…. hahahah
    Few days back some loudmouth Pakistani claimed having helped CIA tracking down Osama and now this doctor is punished for helping CIA… hahahahhahahahah
    What a bunch of criminal clowns

  5. Pakistan is finished now.
    US, INDIA and now the world is against Pakistan.
    Gurella movements going on with fast pace in Balochistan demanding ‘AZAD BALOCHISTAN’. Jiye sindh wants ‘SINDHU DESH’.
    US funding all these gurellas to break down Pakistan.
    Pakistan’s democracy is under army rule preaching lot of hatred for India and Hindus. India is termed as ‘dushman’ by Pakistan army whereas India talks about fighting terrorism and never talked about fighting Pakistan.
    Pakistan is among the poorest economies with UN council listed it 12th failed state.
    Pakistani peace loving civilians are under threat of radical islamists and terrorists.
    Sunnis killing shias and ahmedis.
    Pakistan is on the verge of extintion…………..

    • This is the kind of mindset that will lead us to extinction.Dear save us, save yourselff then, and get lost. We dont need people like you in the country anyway .

  6. These are the antics of a silly government and reflect brain deficiency.Mr. Special Correspondent you are no less.This is a blessing.Why did not they stop all aid.B'cause they know these people will manage and survive.I am not talking about the bunch of beggars like Gillanis, Zardaris, Makhdooms, Walis , Sharifs and traitor Altaf .

  7. very sorry state of affairs. We are hell-bent to prove that we are with the terrorists not against it. Pakistani is gradually going towards complete isolation. The doctor did what everyone is doing in this wretched country since 80s. Why ziaulhaq not a traitor as he was on complete payroll of CIA and so were the Mujahideen of that time. Why were they not traitors.? Mr musharaf handed over lots of pakistanis to US for a little amount why was he not a traitor? I dont know when will this double standard of our establishment and governments end.

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