Can bridge the gap between Pak and US: Bilawal

Pakistan People's Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said he can "bridge the gap" between his country and the United States even as he defended the handling of the case of Pakistani doctor who helped the Central Intelligence Agency to track down Osama bin Laden and was sentenced to 33 years in jail.

"As someone who has spent much of his life abroad, yet is deeply rooted in his country, Bhutto says he thinks he can 'bridge the gap' between Pakistan and the West," The Newsweek quoted him as saying.

The 23-year-old Oxford educated Bhutto also defended the handling of Dr Shakil Afridi's case, pointing out that cooperating with foreign-intelligence services, even of a friendly government, is illegal in every country.

He noted, "We restored an independent judiciary in Pakistan after a long struggle, and the first democratically elected government of Pakistan will observe the rule of law".

The magazine said Bilawal echoed Pakistan's position on the various irritants that have strained relations between the US and Pakistan recent months.

Talking about political dynasties disintegrating the world over, and whether this is a good time to go into the family business, he said, "It's a big responsibility...but it's not a family business, it's a way of life, it's an ideology, it's a vision for Pakistan".