ISI chief cancels UK trip over Cameron's 'clear swipe at Pak security agencies'

Islamabad, July 31(ANI): Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha has canceled his trip to the United Kingdom due to British Prime Minister David Cameron's remarks about Pakistan's role in promoting the "export of terror".

Pasha was earlier scheduled to accompany Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on a five-day visit to the UK, starting from August 3.

During the trip, the ISI chief was to hold meetings with his intelligence counterparts.

"The visit has been cancelled in reaction to the comments made by the British Prime Minister against Pakistan," The News quoted an ISI spokesman, as saying.

"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," he added.

Another official said that Cameron's irresponsible statements could affect relations between Pakistan and Britain.

"It is a clear swipe at Pakistani security agencies, which have lost thousands of soldiers and officers in fighting terrorism," he added.

Earlier, on Wednesday, during his visit to India, Cameron said that Pakistan could not "look both ways" in receiving billions of dollars in aid from Western nations while continuing to "promote the export of terror, whether to India or Afghanistan or anywhere else in the world".

He later defended his comments, and said: "I think it's important, as I say, to speak frankly about these things to countries that are your friends."

When asked whether he regretted damaging relations with Pakistan ahead of Zardari's visit, Cameron said: "I don't accept that they have been damaged... I look forward to discussing these and other issues (with Zardari)." (ANI)