World News: Senior US MP Brad Sherman has given a strict message to Pakistan demanding decisive action against terrorism and security of religious minorities. During the meeting with a Pakistani delegation on a US visit under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto on Thursday, Sherman said in two words that Pakistan should completely eliminate the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Sherman gave special emphasis on the fact that Jaish-e-Mohammed is the same organization that killed Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl in the year 2002. Pearl's family still lives in Sherman's parliamentary constituency. Terrorist Omar Saeed Sheikh was convicted in the case of kidnapping and murder of journalist Pearl.
Minorities not tolerated atrocities: Sherman
Sherman expressed deep concern not only about terrorism but also about the status of religious minorities in Pakistan. He told the Pakistani delegation that Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyas living there should get full rights to perform their religious rituals fearlessly and take part in democratic processes without any fear. No discrimination, violence, or oppression will no longer be tolerated.
Emphasis on the release of Dr. Shakeel Afridi
Sherman gave a strong message to the Pakistani delegation on an important and sensitive subject. He appealed for immediate priority to the release of Dr. Shakeel Afridi. Afridi is a Pakistani doctor who gave significant support to the US mission against Osama bin Laden. He was arrested in May 2011 after America's action, and in 2012 he was sentenced to 33 years of stringent jail by the Pakistani court.
Increasing international pressure on Pakistan
This strict comment of Brad Sherman has come at a time when Pakistan is already surrounded by its terrorism-supporting image on global forums. India has been continuously exposing Pakistani shelter to Jaish, Lashkar and other terrorist organizations. Now even in the US, Pak representatives get an open warning show that the international community will now be satisfied with action, not with words.
