Pakistan 'disappointed' with US aid being linked to Shakil Afridi's detention

MoFA says any linkage of assistance to Afridi's case is not in keeping with spirit of cooperation between Pakistan-US.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday expressed disappointment over the Consolidated Appropriations Bill 2014 approved by the US Congress, which links $33 million in assistance to Dr Shakil Afridi’s detention.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday evening, the government said that Dr Afridi’s case was sub-judice and that he remains entitled to due process under the law.

“Consequently, any linkage of US assistance to this case is not in keeping with the spirit of cooperation between the two countries,” the statement read.

The Consolidated Appropriations Bill 2014, approved by US Congress, was signed into law by US President Barack Obama on January 17, 2014. As an omnibus legislation, it contains respective Appropriation Bills for all government departments, including the Department of Defence and the Department of State. The State Department will now undertake the process of making allocations, including those for Pakistan.

"However, we are disappointed that the bill proposes to withhold US$ 33 million from assistance on account of Dr Shakil Afridi’s detention," the statement read.

The statement added that Pakistan and the United States are engaged in building a close, cooperative relationship, based on mutual respect and mutual interest and that the government hoped that this process would continue to move forward in a constructive manner.