On Thursday, US Congressman Brad Sherman delivered a straightforward message to the Pakistani leadership headed by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, calling on Pakistan to act strongly against the terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad and protect the rights of religious minorities within the country.
Sharing his thoughts on X, Sherman highlighted his discussions with the Pakistani delegation, emphasizing the critical need to fight terrorism, especially focusing on the group Jaish-e-Mohammed, responsible for the 2002 murder of Daniel Pearl.
"I emphasized to the Pakistani delegation the importance of combatting terrorism, and in particular, the group Jaish-e-Mohammed, who murdered my constituent Daniel Pearl in 2002," Sherman stated.
He also added, "Pearl's family still resides in my district, and Pakistan must do everything in their power to eradicate this despicable group and fight terrorism in the area."
Daniel Pearl was kidnapped by jihadi radicals in January 2002 while on his way to an interview with Pakistani religious cleric Mubarak Ali Gilani in Karachi.
The Congressman also emphasized the importance of Pakistan taking steps to secure the safety of its religious minorities.
"Christians, Hindus and Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan need to be free to exercise their religion and take part in the democratic process without fear of persecution, violence, discrimination, or unequal justice."
Sherman further urged the delegation to appeal for the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, who is still behind bars for assisting America in finding Osama bin Laden.
"Releasing Dr Afridi is a significant move to close the chapter for 9/11 victims," he said.
Afridi, a physician from Pakistan, cooperated with the CIA by facilitating a polio vaccination campaign in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to collect DNA samples of bin Laden's relatives. Afridi was arrested by Pakistani forces after the US operation at bin Laden's Abbottabad compound in May 2011. Afridi was sentenced to 33 years in prison in 2012.
The Pakistani delegation was in Washington at the same time that a multi-party delegation of Indian parliamentarians, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was in the US capital.
The Indian delegation is updating powerful people on Operation Sindoor, reacting to the Pahalgam terror attack, and reiterating India's strong commitment against terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
Bhutto flew in with the Tharoor-led delegation. He met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Security Council ambassadors in New York prior to his visit to Washington. Pakistan wanted global attention regarding its war with India and the Kashmir matter but instead was urged to discuss the terrorism that originates within its own border.
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