Islamabad, May 29 (ANI): The head of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) postponed his trip to the United States due to the failure to finalise an agreement to reset bilateral ties, caused by the arrest of Dr Shakil Afridi, who had helped the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) track down Osama Bin Laden.
Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam was scheduled to travel to Washington this week at the invitation of (CIA) chief David Patreaus, to sign the agreement that seeks to reset ties between the two countries, reports The Express Tribune.
According to sources, the visit was planned a few days ago and the two sides were expecting to conclude their negotiations on key issues, including the resumption of NATO supply lines.
However, the expected agreement was put on hold after the U.S. voiced serious reservations over the conviction of Dr Shakil Afridi, who is accused of helping the CIA locate the Al-Qaeda chief.
A Pakistani diplomat in Washington said the deal was almost certain between the two sides but the 'guilty' verdict against Dr Afridi threw the progress into uncertainty.
The spokesman for the military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had earlier said the trip had only been postponed "due to his pressing engagements" in Pakistan.
Sources said the ISI chief would now tour the U.S. once the deal is sealed between Islamabad and Washington. (ANI)
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