A White House petition has been launched by the Indian-American community in the United States to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. The move came days after, two powerful lawmakers tabled a bill in this regard in the US Congress.

The petition said that, "This petition is important to the people of United States of America, India and many other countries which are continuously affected by Pakistan sponsored terrorism."

The petition needs at least 1,00,000 signatures to qualify for a response from the Obama Administration.

The online petition service "We the People" at the White House website, initiated by the President Barack Obama provides a window to American citizens to campaign before the administration on a particular issue. The bill has been sent to House Foreign Affairs Committee for necessary action.

Congressman Ted Poe said after introducing the bill in the US House of Representatives, that, "It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is, a state sponsor of terrorism."

"Not only is Pakistan an untrustworthy ally, Islamabad has also aided and abetted enemies of the United States for years. From harboring Osama bin Laden to its cozy relationship with the Haqqani network, there is more than enough evidence to determine whose side Pakistan is on in the War on Terror. And it's not America's," Poe claimed.

"Thirty days after that, the Secretary of State must issue a follow-up report containing either a determination that Pakistan is state sponsor of terrorism or a detailed justification as to why Pakistan does not meet the legal criteria for designation," he added.

"These are not enemies who simply profess to hate us. These are groups and individuals with American blood on their hands," he said in his speech on the House floor.

Congressman George Holding said in his remarks in the House, that, "Mr Speaker, we must be honest about the evolving terror threat in front of us and confront this challenge with strong leadership and unwavering resolve."

Also Read: US lawmakers to designate Pakistan as a state of Terrorism

- Nandini