Following the US-Pakistan talks held on June 6, US Congressman Brad Sherman shared key updates on social media, highlighting discussions on counterterrorism and regional water disputes. In response to Sherman’s post, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the US demand to release Dr Shakil Afridi a “welcome reminder” of Pakistan’s troubling record on terrorism.

Tharoor wrote, “Pakistan is the country that not only sheltered terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden but also arrested and punished the brave doctor who identified his location for the Americans. In Pakistan, you are rewarded for promoting terrorism and persecuted for exposing terrorists!”

What the US lawmaker said on terrorism

Sherman noted that he stressed the importance of combatting terrorism during talks with the Pakistani delegation, with specific reference to Jaish-e-Mohammed—the group responsible for the 2002 murder of Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl. “Pearl’s family continues to live in my district,” Sherman said, “and Pakistan should do all it can to eliminate this vile group and combat terrorism in the region.”

He also mentioned that the discussions included the Indus Waters Treaty and China’s role in restricting water flows to India.

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Who is Dr Shakil Afridi?

Dr Shakil Afridi is a Pakistani physician who assisted the CIA in locating al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden. Following the successful 2011 US Navy SEAL raid in Abbottabad, which killed Bin Laden, Afridi was arrested by Pakistani authorities. In May 2012, he was sentenced to 33 years in prison on charges of treason.

Sherman’s remarks come in the backdrop of heightened diplomatic engagement between India and the US. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor is currently leading the Operation Sindoor outreach delegation in Washington, where Indian officials have held talks with members of the US administration.

According to the Indian delegation, American officials reaffirmed their “strong support” for India’s position in its ongoing fight against terrorism.