UK hails Pakistan’s ‘significant sacrifices’ in combating terror

LONDON: Days ahead of Prime Minister Theresa May’s India visit, the UK on Tuesday hailed Pakistan’s “significant sacrifices” in combating terror while responding to a petition calling on the British government to “strongly condemn” Pakistan for providing a safe haven for terrorists.

The petition titled ‘UK Government to strongly condemn Pakistan or providing safe haven for terrorists’ on the official government website had crossed the 10,000 signatures required to make it incumbent upon the UK government to respond.

“Pakistan has made significant sacrifices in opposing terrorism. The UK has regularly raised with Pakistan the need to take consistent action against all terrorist groups operating within its borders,” the response from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) read.

“The UK regularly highlights to Pakistan, at the highest level, the importance of taking effective action against all terrorist groups operating in Pakistan, as Pakistan has committed to do,” the response said.

“We recognise the significant sacrifices that Pakistan and its people have made in combating terrorism. We are helping Pakistan develop its capacity to protect itself and prosecute those who plan and commit terrorist attacks,” it said.

May is scheduled to arrive in India on November 6 for a three-day visit, which will include a bilateral dialogue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.