Pakistan slams UK 'terror' remark
Pakistan has strongly criticised David Cameron, the British prime minister, for his remark that Islamabad should not "promote the export of terror".
Abdul Basit, a foreign ministry spokesman, yesterday said Cameron seemed to have based his comments on leaked US documents, which he called "biased and self-serving".
"We are obviously disappointed at these comments because these are not coming from any original source, rather biased sources and I would say not even raw intelligencebut disinformation against Pakistan," he told Al Jazeera.
On a visit to India, Cameron on Wednesday said Pakistan should know "that it is not right to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror".
He said: "We cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country [Pakistan] is allowed to look both ways and is able, in any way, to promote the export of terror, whether to India or whether to Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world."
Though his comments were likely to be welcomed in India, which often accuses Islamabad of harbouring armed groups, Pakistan's reaction has been quick and angry.
Basit strongly denied any Pakistani links with terror groups and defended Islamabad's role.
"Britain knows full well as to how Pakistan, particularly the ISI [the Pakistani intelligence service] has been extending help and assistance to Britain in thwarting so many terrorist plots in Britain.
"They know the effectiveness of the ISI and our constructive and positive role in Afghanistan so we do not find any reason whatsoever for such remarks."
"The ISI has been extending help and assistance to Britain in thwarting so many terrorist plots."
Earlier, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan's high commissioner in London, told Al Jazeera "I think Cameron will review his statement, clarify his position, because we need to be supported not criticised for what we are doing," Hasan said.
Cameron's comments came during a two-day visit to India, which is aimed at improving bilateral trade between London and New Delhi.
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