Islamabad, Nov 24: Pakistan today said it would consider "necessary steps" if it did not get a response from the British government on the reports of bugging of its High Commission in London recently. "The issue cannot be swept under the carpet," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan told newsmen here at the weekly briefing, while answering questions on action initiated by Pakistan in connection with the reports of bugging of its High Commission by British intelligence agency, MI-5.
"The government has received no response so far... Silence is not good...We will consider next necessary steps if we do not receive any response," Khan said.
He also termed the incident an "irritant" in the otherwise "good, close and friendly relations" between the two countries. He said the two counties were allies in the war against terrorism and had "historical bonds."
Pakistan had lodged a strong protest with the British government over a news report that the MI-5 or the Scotland yard had used a building contractor to plant bugging devices at its high commission.
Pakistan has asked simple questions from the British government. Whether the bugging did take place, who authorised it or was it a rogue operation, Khan said.
He said the British law prohibits discussing anything related to intelligence matters. However, "they have not informed us privately either."
Khan said an inter-agency team of Pakistan officials conducted investigation to determine what happened at the high commission in London.
Bureau Report