UK government says Pakistan needs to do more to tackle terror threat, calls for de-escalation and restraint on both sides

TOI CORRESPONDENT FROM LONDON: The UK government has called on Pakistan to do more to tackle the terror threat within its own borders as ministers called for de-escalation and restraint on both sides.

“Rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain. We are engaging urgently with both countries and other international partners encouraging dialogue, escalation and the protection of civilians,” UK PM Keir Starmer said.

“I have made clear to my counterparts in India and Pakistan that if this escalates further, nobody wins,” UK foreign secretary David Lammy added.

Foreign office minister Hamish Falconer made a ministerial statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday, in which he called on India and Pakistan “to show restraint and engage in dialogue to find swift diplomatic path forward” .

“Pakistan has been plagued by a terrorist threat within its own borders. It’s a plague that has been of concern to its neighbours but also most acutely to many Pakistanis as we have seen devastatingly in recent months. They must do more to tackle that threat,” Falconer said. “I have discussed that with Pakistani ministers through the course of my ministerial duties. India is right to feel outrage at this terrible attack on 22 April. There are now civilian casualties on both sides and it is vital we focus on de-escalation and try to restore calm and regional stability. Pakistan herself would most benefit from eradication of terrorism scourge within her borders.”

Falconer told MPs that the UK had been in touch with both Pakistan and India since the strike and was working with the US and the Gulf to bring about de-escalation. “De-escalation is of utmost importance, not least because of the large number of British nationals in both countries,” Falconer said.

MPs raised concerns about the impact on diaspora communities in the UK and their family members in the region. Many said the UK had a duty, given its unique relationship with both countries, to support mediation. MP Louie French called for Hindu temples to get the same funding and security given to mosques. Some called for the UK to take the matter up at the UNSC, others warned of World War III.

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said India had the right to take “reasonable and proportionate steps to defend itself and dismantle vile terrorist infrastructure”. “We know that terrorists based in Pakistan threaten India and Western interests,” she said.

MP Bob Blackman said: “India made it clear that either Pakistan removes terrorist bases along the LoC or India would remove them. Nine sites were hit. These were terrorist bases where training took place and terrorists were trained to commit further atrocities in India.”

However MPs Naz Shah, Yasmin Qureshi and Ayoub Khan claimed there was no evidence to prove Pakistan was behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Others such as Paul Waugh and Andrew Murrison criticised India for using water “as a weapon of war”.