European Parliament slams Pakistan

In a stinging indictment of Pakistan, European Parliament has said there is 'confirmed evidence' about the country hosting several terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and criminal mastermind Dawood Ibrahim and using them as an instrument of terrorism against India.

Against the backdrop of the Mumbai attacks, the Parliament of the 27-nation grouping asked Pakistan to take urgent action to 'transform its polity to prevent the continuing calls for violent jihad against its neighbours and its partners'.

The Parliament, in a declaration adopted in Brussels on Friday, said, "Despite a democratic government in Pakistan, there is confirmed evidence of Pakistan hosting several terrorist groups and using them as an instrument of terrorism, particularly against India."

It further said, "Despite Pakistan's claim of participating in the war against terror, it continues to host terrorist leaders of the Khalistani Movement, Hizb-uld Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba and criminal masterminds like Dawood Ibrahim, who live and operate freely."

The declaration -- 'Terrorists operating from the soil of Pakistan' -- reflects the recognition in the world that Pakistan continues to sponsor terrorism directed against India despite Islamabad's continuous denials.

It also nails Pakistan's lies that Dawood Ibrahim, whom the US has declared as 'international terrorist', is not in Pakistan.

The European Parliament has asked Pakistan to stop all cross-border infiltration and take immediate action to extradite to India "leaders of Khalistan (groups) and other terrorist groups who acknowledge their role in terrorist activities in India".

These observations come as a shot in the arm for India which has been asking Pakistan to hand over the chiefs of LeT, Hizb-ul Mujahideen and other terrorist groups besides Dawood, but without any success.

Even after the Mumbai attacks, India has demanded that LeT chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed, Dawood and other 18 most wanted faces of terror be handed over to this country for their  error activities.

Pakistan, however, insists that there is no evidence about their involvement in any crimes in India.

The European Parliament said the madrassas in Pakistan 'continue to provide cadres for terrorist groups, including Al Qaida', and asked the government of the country to take immediate measures to reform the teaching imparted in such educational institutes.

The Declaration said Pakistan's secret service ISI is 'closely aligned to Taliban and Al-Qaida and is protecting them from international peace forces'

The Parliament asked Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to monitor these matters personally.