Islamabad/IBNS: In a massive embarrassment for Islamabad, a senior US lawmaker asked a Pakistani delegation, led by the country's former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to combat terrorism, act against terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed and protect religious minority in their backyard, in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

Congressman Brad Sherman shared a picture with Bilawal on X and in a series of posts, he sent a stern message to the Pakistani representative who emulated India's approach to brief the world on its Operation Sindoor.

Sherman has asked Bilawal to take action to release Dr. Shakil Afridi, who has been imprisoned for 33 years by a Pakistan court for helping the US to track terror group al Qaeda's chief Osama Bin Laden.

Laden, who was sheltered in Pakistan's Abbottabad, was killed in an operation by the US force in 2011.

"I urged the Pakistani delegation to relay to their government the need to free Dr. Shakil Afridi, who continues to languish in prison for helping the United States kill Osama Bin Laden. Freeing Dr. Afridi represents an important step in bringing closure for victims of 9/11," the Congressman wrote.

"I emphasized 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’s family continues to live in my district, and Pakistan should do all it can to eliminate this vile group and combat terrorism in the region."

In more discomfort for Pakistan, Sherman asked Islamabad to "protect the religious minorities" justifying India's consistent accusation against its hostile neighbour.

"The protection of religious minorities in Pakistan remains an important issue. Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadiyya Muslims living in Pakistan must be allowed to practice their faith and participate in the democratic system without fear of violence, persecution, discrimination, or an unequal justice system."

On the Indus Waters Treaty, which has been cancelled by India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Congressman exuded a balanced approach giving a message for China and India.

Sherman said China should not take any adverse action against India and suggested New Delhi to not restrict the Indus waters.

He said, "Water rights along the Indus River was a major point of discussion during the meeting. China should not take any adverse actions towards India to restrict water in the region. India should not take any adverse actions towards Pakistan to restrict the Indus.

"Within Pakistan, water flowing through Punjab and Sindh must remain accessible to the millions of Pakistanis who rely on the Indus to survive."

Pakistan took the initiative to send delegations abroad only after the India government sent seven all-party delegations to various countries to brief on Operation Sindoor, a fierce military action which was launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

The operation had decimated nine terrorist camps in Pakistan.

The seven delegations are showcasing India's national consensus and resolute approach to combating terrorism globally.

Each delegation comprises Members of Parliament from different parties, political personalities, and diplomats.