United States (US) Congress members issued a statement to the Pakistan Ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan on Tuesday, urging the Government of Pakistan to undertake “a full review of the acquittal in the case of Daniel Pearl.”
This follows the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan’s order to immediately release those accused of involvement in American journalist Daniel Pearl’s kidnapping and murder case. On Tuesday, the apex court rejected the Sindh government’s plea seeking interim orders against Omar Sheikh’s release as ordered by the Sindh High Court. The SC also order that all accused, including Omar Sheikh, be removed from death cells and be shifted to normal barracks, following which Sheikh is to be kept in a government safe house.
The letter penned by Congressman Brad Sherman, and co-signed by 36 members of the Congress, addressed Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan.
“We as members of the Congress have closely followed the events surrounding the kidnapping and murder of American journalist Daniel Pearl, a constituent of Congressman Brad Sherman,” the letter read.
“We join with the White House in affirming that such a decision is an ‘affront to terrorism victims everywhere,'” it added.
“In the years since the tragic murder of Daniel Pearl, the US and Pakistan have maintained a robust partnership, particularly in the areas of security cooperation, energy, trade, and investment,” the statement said. “We look forward to continuing to work with you to advance this relationship.”
“Nevertheless, in pursuit of justice for Pearl and the countless others who have been murdered by acts of terrorism, it is uncumbent upon us to urge you to do your utmost to ensure that the Goverment of Pakistan conducts a full review of the acquittal in the case of Daniel Pearl,” the letter concluded.
