The US Senate Friday overwhelmingly defeated a bill that would have denied American aid to Pakistan till the release of the imprisoned Pakistani doctor who helped CIA trace Osama bin Laden.

The bill was defeated by 81 to 10 votes. Introduced by Senator Rand Paul, the bill also called for cutting all US aid to Libya and Egypt, till those who were responsible for attack on American missions in these two countries, were arrested and handed over to the US.
Following the defeat of his bill, which was opposed even by Senators from his own Republican party, Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky in a statement vowed to keep this important issue front and center.
"When nearly 80 per cent of Americans believe foreign aid should be reduced - especially to countries that are not our allies - it is inconceivable why their views are ignored by so many in Congress," he said.
"I am far from defeated on this; I will continue to fight for this issue when Congress returns, and I will continue to call attention to the billions of American dollars - borrowed from China, among other places - being sent to governments that are not willing to respect and protect our interests overseas," Paul said.
Earlier, visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said that Afridi should not be treated as hero by Americans.