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Written question asked by John Denham (Labour) on Friday, 10 October 2014, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 October 2014. It was answered by Tobias Ellwood (Conservative) on Friday, 17 October 2014 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Pakistan

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Gulf States on the funding of Al-Qaeda and ISIS-affiliated groups in Pakistan by such states and private sources based in those states.

Answer

The UK and Pakistan have a shared interest in the battle against terrorism. We are playing an active role internationally to combat ISIL, cooperating with our closest allies and partners, including the Gulf states.

The UK Government remains fully committed to working in partnership with Pakistan to tackle terrorism and violent extremism. We regularly discuss counter-terrorism issues with Pakistani officials.

There are media reports of limited rhetorical support for ISIL in some parts of Pakistan in the form of leaflets and graffiti. A statement in early October by the Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group, expressing support for ISIL was followed shortly afterwards by a second expressing the group’s loyalty to Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar. In mid-October, some media reported that a small group of Pakistani Taliban leaders had pledged personal allegiance to ISIL.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
209910
Session
2014-15
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Finance Pakistan Gulf states al Qaeda Islamic State
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk