Afridi's sentencing does not help US-Pak ties: Panetta

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Afridi's sentencing does not help US-Pak ties: Panetta

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US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said that sentencing Dr Shakil Afridi does not help US-Pak ties.

28 May,2012 05:34 am

The 33 years sentencing of a Pakistani physician, who helped the CIA in tracing whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden, does not help the effort to re-establish the most complicated relationship between the US and Pakistan, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said. Its so difficult to understand and so disturbing that they would sentence this doctor to 33 years for helping in the search for the most notorious terrorist in our times, Panetta told in an interview to an American TV channel. Dr Shakil Afridi was not working against Pakistan. He was working against Al Qaeda. And I hope that ultimately Pakistan understands that, because what they have done here, I think, you know, does not help in the effort to try to re-establish a relationship between the US and Pakistan, he said. Responding to questions, Panetta said US-Pak ties is one of the most complicated relationships. This has been one of the most complicated relationships that weve had working with Pakistan. You know we have to continue to work at it. It is important. This is a country that has nuclear weapons. This is a country that still is critical in that region of the world. Its an up and down relationship. There have been periods where weve had good cooperation. And they have worked with us, he said. Panetta added, There have been periods where weve had conflict. But theyre dealing with the terrorist threat just like we are. So our responsibility here is to keep pushing them to understand how important it is for them to work with us to try to deal with the common threats we both face. And what they did with this doctor doesnt help in the effort to try to do that, Panetta said. When asked about the on-going negotiations with Pakistan on reopening of supply routes to Afghanistan, Panetta said he the US would only fair price. Were going to pay a fair price. Theyre negotiating what the price ought to be. You know clearly were not about to get gouged in the price. We want a fair price, Panetta said.