International News: The relations between the US and Pakistan took a new turn when senior US Congressman Brad Sherman on Thursday had a direct and stern talk with the Pakistani delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Sherman said in clear words that Pakistan should not only take strict action against the hideouts of terror but should also ensure the safety of religious minorities living in the country as a priority.
This meeting took place when the Pakistani delegation was on an official visit to the US and was talking to many senior MPs and officials in Washington, DC. But Sherman's outspokenness has sparked a fresh debate on Pakistan's terrorism and human rights policy.
Murder of Daniel Pearl and mention of Jaish-e-Mohammed
Brad Sherman specifically mentioned the murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh. This is the same Omar who has been associated with the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed. Sherman said that this is not just an issue for the US but also for his own parliamentary constituency, as Pearl's family lives there.
He said, "Pakistan will have to prove that it is committed to taking concrete and decisive action against terrorism, not just making statements. There can be no excuse now for the existence of organizations like Jaish-e-Mohammed."
Focus on the protection of religious minorities
Sherman expressed serious concern over the condition of minorities in Pakistan. He said that people of the Hindu, Christian, and Ahmadiyya communities in Pakistan are constantly facing religious discrimination, violence, and social exclusion. He clarified that in a democratic system, every citizen should have the right to practice his religion without fear and participate in politics equally.
"Religious freedom and human rights are the foundation of any democracy. If Pakistan wants to present itself as a civilized and responsible nation, it will have to work seriously on the protection of minorities," he said bluntly.
Demand for the release of Dr. Shakeel Afridi
Sherman also raised the issue of the release of Dr. Shakeel Afridi, who helped in the search for Osama bin Laden in the US operation. He told that Dr. Afridi, while assisting the CIA, collected DNA samples of Laden's family under the guise of polio vaccination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For this, he was sentenced to 33 years in Pakistan, which is being considered unjust in America.
He asked the Pakistani delegation to take up the issue with their government seriously and work towards Afridi's release.
Brad Sherman's strong comments are a sign of a change in America's Pakistan policy. The US Congress is now taking a more vocal and decisive stand on issues like terrorism, human rights, and religious freedom. This is both a warning and an opportunity for Pakistan - to take action to change its image, not just rhetoric.
