US Congressman Addresses Pakistani Delegation on Terrorism and Minority Rights
During a recent meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, US Congressman Brad Sherman emphasized the urgent need for Pakistan to take decisive action against the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). Sherman underscored the importance of eliminating this group to enhance regional security and safeguard religious minorities within Pakistan.
Call to Combat Terrorism and Protect Minorities
Congressman Sherman highlighted that JeM remains responsible for significant acts of terrorism, including the 2002 murder of his constituent Daniel Pearl. Pearl was kidnapped and killed in Karachi while on assignment. Sherman stressed that the families affected by such tragedies reside within his district and urged Pakistan to “do all it can” to eradicate JeM and combat terrorism more broadly.
In addition to counterterrorism, Sherman raised concerns about the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan. He called for the government to ensure that groups such as Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyya Muslims can freely practice their faith and participate in the democratic process without fear of violence, persecution, or discrimination.
Advocacy for Dr. Shakil Afridi’s Release
Sherman also requested that Pakistan consider the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, a physician imprisoned for his assistance to the CIA in the operation that led to the death of Osama bin Laden. Afridi played a key role in gathering DNA samples from bin Laden’s family under the guise of a polio vaccination campaign. He was arrested soon after the 2011 raid on bin Laden’s compound and sentenced to 33 years in prison.
The Congressman stated that freeing Afridi would represent a significant step toward providing closure for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Context of the Delegation’s Visit
The Pakistani delegation’s visit to the US coincided with a multi-party Indian parliamentary delegation’s presence in Washington, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor. The Indian delegation focused on briefing US interlocutors about Operation Sindoor and India’s ongoing efforts to counter terrorism rooted in Pakistan, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
During his visit, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari engaged with UN Secretary-General and Security Council representatives. Pakistan aimed to internationalize the Kashmir dispute and highlight its perspective on the conflict with India. However, the response emphasized the need for Pakistan to address terrorism within its own borders.
