Pallone takes a swipe at Pak

WASHINGTON, NOV 27: US Congress may need to initiate steps to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and impose diplomatic or economic sanction...

WASHINGTON, NOV 27: US Congress may need to initiate steps to declare Pakistan a terrorist state and impose diplomatic or economic sanctions on it if Islamabad does not root out terrorist movements operating from the country, a leading Congressman has warned.

8220;Terrorist organisations based in Pakistan continue to operate in Kashmir8230;I am increasingly concerned about the allegations of Pakistani military and Government sponsorship for terrorist movements operating in India and other countries,8221; Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone, who is chairman of the Congressional caucus for India and Indian Americans, has said in a letter to Pakistan8217;s Ambassador to US Riaz Khokhar.

The letter says there is 8220;persistent credible evidence that Harkat-Ul-Ansar and other terrorist organisations are getting training and back-up support 8212; not merely political and diplomatic support 8212; from Pakistan8221;.

8220;Concern over Pakistan8217;s involvement recently prompted the Chief Minister of Kashmir Farooq Abdullah to urge the US to declare Pakistan a terrorist state,8221; Pallone says.Accusing Pakistan-based Harkat-Ul-Ansar outfit of 8220;causing widespread terror and severe economic dislocation in Kashmir8221;, he notes the terrorist group has been 8220;identified as being behind the abduction of a group of Western tourists, including an American in Kashmir8221;.

Referring to the recent arrest, conviction and alleged torture of an employee of US Drug Enforcement Administration in Pakistan and killing of four Americans in Karachi, Pallone says, 8220;recent events have caused significant tension between Pakistan and the United States and have prompted many to seriously examine the relationship between our two countries8221;.

8220;I welcome the opportunity to develop our bilateral coordination in anti-drug trafficking efforts. Arresting effective and loyal agents on spurious charges is far from helpful,8221; he says. 8220;The brutal murders earlier this month of four Americans and one Pakistani in Karachi is the latest reminder that terrorist elements are operating within Pakistan,8221; the letter says.