In a firm and multifaceted message during a recent diplomatic meeting, US Congressman Brad Sherman pressed Pakistan to take stronger action against terrorism, specifically calling for decisive steps to dismantle the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) — the terrorist group responsible for the 2002 killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing in India.
Sherman made these comments during a meeting in Washington with a Pakistani delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The meeting coincided with a visit by an Indian parliamentary team led by Shashi Tharoor, aimed at briefing US officials on Operation Sindoor and India's zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack, which New Delhi has attributed to Pakistan-based militants.
Sherman posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“I emphasised 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.”He further mentioned that Pearl’s family still lives in his California district, making the issue personal as well as political.
Jaish-e-Mohammed, a UN-designated terrorist organisation, has been linked to multiple high-profile attacks in India. Despite global calls to curb its operations, accusations persist that the group still finds shelter in Pakistan.
Sherman also broadened his criticism, highlighting religious intolerance in Pakistan, and advocating for the rights of Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyya Muslims. He stressed they should be able to practice their religion freely and participate in democracy without fear of persecution or systemic injustice.
Another key point in Sherman’s message was the demand for the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor who helped the CIA track Osama bin Laden through a fake vaccination drive. Afridi, seen as a hero in the US, has been imprisoned in Pakistan since 2011. Sherman emphasized:
“Freeing Dr. Afridi represents an important step in bringing closure for victims of 9/11.”
This pointed exchange adds to growing US pressure on Pakistan to both address domestic extremism and improve its human rights record, particularly at a time when India's diplomatic engagement with Washington is gaining momentum. It also signals bipartisan US concern over terrorism emanating from Pakistan, with broader implications for regional stability and Indo-US strategic ties.
