WASHINGTON: Two American lawmakers have introduced legislation in the US Congress to designate the Pakistani State as a sponsor of terrorism.

The bill is largely symbolic considering the current Congress is now in its final days and only a small fraction of the thousands of bill will be passed.

The bill was moved by Congressman Ted Poe, who is the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who is a strong critic of Pakistan.

''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 said in a statement yesterday announcing the bill.

''It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism.'' Congressman Poe said.