‘I specifically pressed the Prime Minister to release Dr Shakil Afridi and encouraged him to ensure that his nation is in fact a responsible and effective partner in countering terrorism, proliferation and violent extremism in the region,’ Congressman Ed Royce, Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, said.
Afridi was arrested immediately after the 2 May 2011 operation by US commandos that killed bin Laden. He was arrested and convicted for treason over alleged ties to militant group Lashkar-e-Islam.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the doctor has sought a fresh probe into his conviction in the treason case and a tribunal in federally administered tribal areas will hear arguments from his legal counsel on 30 October to determine whether the case merits fresh probe. Royce and Congressman Elliot Engel, Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee along with 15 members of this powerful Congressional committee met Sharif at the Rayburn House building at the US Capitol on Tuesday.
‘The House Foreign Affairs Committee used this visit of the Prime Minister to engage in a frank and full discussion about a variety of issues critical to US national security,’ Royce said.
‘We discussed promoting regional trade and greater trade with the United States. I also discussed the importance of education reform,’ the Republican Congressman from California said in a statement after the meeting.
Afridi was arrested immediately after the 2 May 2011 operation by US commandos that killed bin Laden. He was arrested and convicted for treason over alleged ties to militant group Lashkar-e-Islam.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the doctor has sought a fresh probe into his conviction in the treason case and a tribunal in federally administered tribal areas will hear arguments from his legal counsel on 30 October to determine whether the case merits fresh probe. Royce and Congressman Elliot Engel, Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee along with 15 members of this powerful Congressional committee met Sharif at the Rayburn House building at the US Capitol on Tuesday.
‘The House Foreign Affairs Committee used this visit of the Prime Minister to engage in a frank and full discussion about a variety of issues critical to US national security,’ Royce said.
‘We discussed promoting regional trade and greater trade with the United States. I also discussed the importance of education reform,’ the Republican Congressman from California said in a statement after the meeting.