§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether the Government of Pakistan is a sponsor of terrorism; and if he will make a statement. [133066]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienPresident Musharraf has said that he will not allow Pakistan's territory to be used by terrorists. We welcome the steps which the Government of Pakistan has taken so far in fulfilment of that commitment, including its co-operation in the campaign against Al Qaida and the measures it has taken to clamp down on extremist groups in Pakistan, including the banning of five such groups. We remain concerned about militant violence in Kashmir and look to Pakistan to discourage such acts and fulfil its commitment to stop infiltration across the Line of Control. We also remain concerned that Taliban and other extremist elements are still crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan and we continue to encourage the Government of Pakistan to do all it can to prevent this.