Congressman Brad Sherman calls out Pakistan’s failure to act against terror groups and religious persecution during meeting with Bilawal Bhutto in Washington.
Washington, D.C. | June 7, 2025 – In a sharp diplomatic exchange, US Congressman Brad Sherman confronted Pakistan’s former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari during his visit to Washington, urging Islamabad to take decisive action against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and ensure protection of religious minorities.
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Sherman, who represents California’s 32nd congressional district, met the Pakistani delegation led by Bhutto Zardari on Thursday. The visit notably coincided with a parallel outreach by an Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, briefing US officials on India’s Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
“Eliminate Jaish-e-Mohammed”
Taking to social media after the meeting, Sherman wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
Pearl, a journalist with The Wall Street Journal, was kidnapped and killed in Pakistan. Omar Saeed Sheikh was convicted for his role in planning the crime.
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Sherman reiterated that Pakistan “must do all it can to eliminate this vile group” and combat terrorism across the region.
Call to Release Dr Shakil Afridi
Sherman also demanded the release of Dr Shakil Afridi, the physician who assisted US intelligence in tracking Osama bin Laden. Afridi has been imprisoned in Pakistan since 2011.
“Freeing Dr Afridi represents an important step in bringing closure for victims of 9/11,” Sherman said, underscoring the long-standing demand in US political circles for his release.
Religious Freedom Concerns Raised
The Congressman didn’t stop at terrorism. He also addressed the treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan, stating:
“Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyya Muslims must be allowed to practice their faith and participate in the democratic system without fear of violence, persecution, discrimination, or an unequal justice system.”
Bhutto’s Global Outreach Backfires
Bilawal Bhutto’s ongoing visit, which includes meetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN Security Council ambassadors, was reportedly aimed at raising the Kashmir issue. However, US lawmakers appear to be redirecting the conversation toward Pakistan’s internal accountability on terrorism and human rights.
Sherman’s comments reflect a growing bipartisan sentiment in the US Congress that Pakistan must act decisively against terrorism and reform its domestic policies rather than deflecting attention internationally.
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Bilawal Bhutto US visit, Brad Sherman Pakistan, Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, Shakil Afridi release demand, Daniel Pearl murder, US Pakistan diplomacy, Operation Sindoor, Pahalgam attack response, religious freedom in Pakistan, US India relations