Senate votes down measure to cut aid to Pakistan, approves Iran resolution

The Senate early Saturday morning voted down a measure to cut aid to Pakistan until the country releases a doctor who assisted in locating Al Qaeda leader Usama bin Laden, Associated Press reports.
Earlier this month, the Pakistani doctor, Shakil Afridi, detailed in an exclusive jail-cell interview with Fox News how the he has been tortured by spy-service interrogators. That prompted Sen. Rand Paul, to renew his months-long effort to compel a vote on the bill that would freeze U.S. aid to Pakistan unless Afridi is released -- even if it means stalling the Obama administration’s nominee to be the next ambassador to Islamabad.
Afridi was convicted of high treason and sentenced to 33 years in prison. The United States has sought his release.
Eighty-one senators opposed Republican Sen. Rand Paul's bill and 10 supported it.
In a 90-1 vote, the Senate approved a resolution insisting that the United States will do all it can to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
The nonbinding measure says it should not be construed as an authorization for the use of military force or a declaration of war. However, the resolution says the United States would not rely on containment of a nuclear weapons-capable Iran.