Pakistan health workers linked to CIA scheme fired
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ABBOTTABAD, Pakistan -- A Pakistani government official says 17 health workers have been fired for allegedly participating in a CIA scheme to confirm the presence of Osama bin Laden in a northwestern town.
Zafeer Ahmed said Wednesday the workers, 16 women and one man, were dismissed because they failed to inform authorities they were helping Pakistani doctor Shakil Afridi with a fake vaccination program meant to obtain the al-Qaida chief's DNA.
The scheme was allegedly carried out in Abbottabad, where bin Laden was killed last May by American commandos.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pakistan detained Afridi after the operation and could charge him with treason. The Pakistani government was outraged by the operation because it was not informed beforehand.
Ahmed is a senior health official in Abbottabad district.