'Pakistan hid bin Laden': US Senators challenge Vance's embrace of Islamabad

US Vice President JD Vance's recent remarks expressing warmth towards Pakistan have sparked contrasting reactions from two Republican senators who highlighted Islamabad's long history of terrorism and its role in sheltering Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Speaking in Switzerland, Vance said the United States was working with regional players and reportedly remarked that "we love Pakistan," signalling a cooperative approach towards Islamabad.

However, Republican Senators Rick Scott and Tim Sheehy publicly questioned Pakistan's credentials as a trustworthy partner, pointing to its past record on terrorism.

Senators raise concerns

Florida Senator Rick Scott said Pakistan and Qatar had histories of harbouring terrorists and suggested both countries appeared more interested in supporting Iran than helping secure lasting peace in the region.

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"It should be clear to everybody by now who our friends really are," Scott wrote on social media platform X. He argued that any future agreement with Iran must ensure that Tehran is never allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

Scott added that while there may still be room for a workable agreement, the United States should remain firm on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Bin Laden sheltering recalled

Montana Senator Tim Sheehy was even more direct in his criticism. According to a PTI report, speaking to Fox News, he reminded viewers that Pakistan had sheltered Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden for years before he was killed by US forces in Abbottabad in 2011.

"Pakistan hid bin Laden for a decade," Sheehy said, while also alleging that elements within Pakistan's intelligence establishment had supported activities aligned with Iranian interests.

The senator argued that Pakistan and Qatar should not be viewed as neutral mediators in negotiations involving Iran. Instead, he said, Washington should ensure that close regional partners such as the UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia have a prominent role in any discussions.

Call to back traditional allies

Sheehy described the UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia as America's most reliable allies in West Asia. He also accused Qatar of facilitating financial support for terrorist organisations over many years.

"The Pakistanis through the ISI funded insurgencies against us and hid bin Laden," he said, adding that expecting Islamabad to serve as an objective intermediary was unrealistic.

According to Sheehy, the United States should continue to stand firmly with the UAE and Israel regardless of future developments in the region.

Vance's light-hearted remark

Earlier, Vance had struck a friendly tone while speaking about Pakistan. Referring to Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, he joked that he now had "two very important people" in his life- an Indian and a Pakistani.

"The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir," Vance said, drawing laughter. He also remarked that over the past three months he had spoken to Munir more than almost anyone else.