The UK Government utterly condemns the series of attacks in Pakistan which killed both civilians and security forces on 15 October.

More than 100 people have been killed in an upsurge of violence across Pakistan in the past two weeks.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said 'our thoughts are with the victims and their families'.

Gordon Brown, who made a statement on Pakistan and Afghanistan on 14 October in the House of Commons, spoke of the upsurge of violent extremism in Pakistan and the threat this poses to the UK saying that 'a stronger Pakistan is a safer Britain'.

He also reiterated our overall objective in Afghanistan and Pakistan:

"To prevent al Qaeda launching attacks on our streets and threatening legitimate government in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But if we limit ourselves simply to targeting al Qaeda - without building the capacity of Afghanistan and Pakistan to deal with terrorism and violent extremism - the security gains will not endure."

During a press conference on 11 October, Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Secretary of State Clinton also stressed the 'mortal threat' that terrorism poses to Pakistan and the world.

David Miliband said:

"I think it's very important to underline first of all the concern that everyone faces about the internal threat, the enemy within if you like, that exists in Pakistan that is the greatest threat to Pakistan's security.  We both used the phrase that the insurgencies, plural, that Pakistan faces are a mortal threat to that country but it's a threat that over the last three or four months the Pakistani military and the Pakistani people have shown enormous resolve and determination and sacrifice in beating back. 

And it is a mortal threat that can and will be defeated by united action by the civilian and military leadership in Pakistan, with the support of their people and with the support of the international community."

The Department for International Development announced on 14 October a further £10m for humanitarian assistance in Pakistan, to go toward improving basic services and economic assistance in areas where security conditions are improving.
 

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UK Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan [Cabinet Office website]

Number 10

Department for International Development

 

Notes for Editors

Read the transcript of the press conference with Hillary Clinton on 11 October

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