KKN Gurugram Desk | During an official visit to the United States led by Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Islamabad faced a major diplomatic embarrassment when US Congressman Brad Sherman publicly criticized Pakistan for harboring terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
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While the Pakistani delegation aimed to gain international support against India following recent cross-border tensions, their narrative was challenged in Washington with strong statements on Pakistan’s links to terrorism, human rights concerns, and religious persecution.
US Congressman Brad Sherman Calls Out Pakistan
Demand to Dismantle Jaish-e-Mohammed
Brad Sherman, a senior member of the US Congress, did not mince words as he called on Pakistan to take decisive action against Jaish-e-Mohammed, describing the outfit as a “heinous group” responsible for gruesome acts of terror, including the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl.
“I emphasized to the Pakistani delegation the importance of fighting terrorism, particularly Jaish-e-Mohammed, the group responsible for the brutal killing of Daniel Pearl,” Sherman posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Daniel Pearl, a journalist from Sherman’s constituency, was abducted and killed in Karachi, Pakistan, while pursuing a story related to extremist groups.
Pakistan’s International Campaign Backfires
Pakistan’s diplomatic mission to the US, led by Bilawal Bhutto, was intended to gather global sympathy and support in the wake of India’s strong anti-terror response. However, instead of garnering solidarity, the trip has amplified long-standing questions over Pakistan’s failure to act against militant networks operating from its soil.
According to diplomatic sources, the American political establishment remains highly skeptical of Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism, especially in light of repeated attacks on journalists, minorities, and international citizens.
Sherman’s Broader Message to Islamabad
In addition to his appeal for action against JeM, Congressman Sherman raised three major issues during his meeting with the Pakistani delegation:
1. Protection of Religious Minorities
Sherman urged Pakistan to ensure the safety and freedom of religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyya Muslims, who often face systematic discrimination and mob violence in the country.
“Minority communities must be allowed to practice their religion without fear of persecution or injustice,” Sherman said.
2. Release of Dr. Shakil Afridi
The Congressman renewed his demand for the release of Dr. Shakil Afridi, a Pakistani physician who assisted the CIA in locating Osama bin Laden by running a fake vaccination program to collect DNA samples in Abbottabad.
Afridi was arrested shortly after the 2011 US Navy SEAL raid that killed Bin Laden and was sentenced to 33 years in prison. Sherman emphasized that releasing Dr. Afridi would be a “significant gesture of goodwill” toward the victims of 9/11 and the international community.
3. Reputation Management Won’t Help Without Reform
Sherman’s sharp tone underscored the view that Pakistan’s image problem cannot be fixed by public relations diplomacy, but only through real policy changes.
Daniel Pearl Case: A Lingering Wound
The 2002 abduction and murder of Daniel Pearl continues to cast a long shadow on Pakistan’s credibility. Pearl was kidnapped while investigating links between terrorist groups and local clerics in Karachi. His beheading was filmed and distributed by extremists, shocking the world and prompting calls for decisive action.
Despite international outcry, Pakistan’s judicial system has struggled to deliver justice in the Pearl case. Several accused have been acquitted or had their sentences reduced—something Sherman and other US lawmakers regularly criticize.
“Pearl’s family still lives in my district. They deserve justice. The US expects Pakistan to eradicate the group that killed him,” Sherman emphasized.
Timing of the Diplomatic Fallout
Interestingly, the Pakistani delegation’s visit coincides with a multi-party Indian parliamentary team’s visit to Washington, led by Shashi Tharoor, further highlighting the diplomatic contrast.
While India’s image as a strategic partner continues to strengthen in Washington, Pakistan finds itself increasingly isolated—especially on issues related to terrorism and human rights.
Who is Dr. Shakil Afridi and Why His Case Matters
Dr. Shakil Afridi was instrumental in identifying Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, a mission that led to the elimination of the world’s most wanted terrorist in May 2011. His role is seen by the US as heroic, but Pakistan charged him with treason.
Despite repeated US requests over the years—including from former Presidents Obama and Trump—Islamabad has refused to release Afridi, viewing his actions as betrayal rather than assistance to global anti-terror efforts.
Sherman’s renewed appeal for his release is being seen as a test case for Pakistan’s sincerity on terrorism cooperation.
Religious Persecution: A Persistent Concern in US-Pak Ties
The treatment of minorities in Pakistan is an issue that continues to draw criticism from US lawmakers and human rights bodies. Accusations of:
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Forced conversions of Hindu and Christian girls
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Attacks on churches and temples
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Blasphemy laws used to target minorities
are frequently raised in congressional hearings.
Sherman’s reminder to the Pakistani delegation about freedom of religion and equality before the law reflects a bipartisan concern in Washington.
India-Pakistan Parallel Diplomatic Tracks in the US
The diplomatic irony could not be more striking: as Pakistan lobbies for global support against India’s policies, its own delegation is met with criticism over terrorism and human rights abuses. Meanwhile, the Indian parliamentary delegation is participating in discussions around:
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Tech cooperation
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Democratic partnerships
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Defense and security dialogue
This contrast reinforces the growing credibility gap between India and Pakistan on the world stage.
US Policy Shift: From Strategic Patience to Conditional Engagement
Washington’s posture toward Pakistan has evolved from strategic patience to conditional cooperation. Key US policymakers now emphasize:
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Measurable action against terror groups
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Freedom for political prisoners
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Legal reforms protecting minority rights
As per several State Department sources, financial aid and diplomatic support are increasingly tied to tangible policy outcomes in Pakistan.
Bilawal Bhutto’s diplomatic mission to the US may have been aimed at criticizing India and seeking global support, but it ended up exposing Pakistan’s internal contradictions. The clear message from Congressman Brad Sherman and others is that cosmetic diplomacy won’t fix fundamental issues.
Until Pakistan takes verifiable steps against groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, ensures the release of Dr. Afridi, and improves minority rights, international trust will remain elusive.
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