ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday criticised the uncovering of sensitive diplomatic documents by WikiLeaks saying it considers the “extremely negative reports” carried on Pakistan-Saudi relations “misleading and contrary to facts”.
Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said, “We consider the extremely negative reports carried on Pakistan-Saudi relations attributed to Wikileaks as misleading and contrary to facts.
Pakistan enjoys a very special and unique relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
“Saudi Arabia, His Majesty King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, the Royal family and the people of Saudi Arabia have always stood by Pakistan. It is quite evident that these mischievous reports reveal the utter inadequacy of the author to grasp the essence of the Pakistan-Saudi relationship,” Basit said. Nonetheless, the FO confirmed the claims by WikiLeaks that the US had wanted nuclear fuel taken away from a reactor, citing security fears and concerns.
Basit said Islamabad rejected US attempts to have the highly enriched uranium removed. “Reports concerning Pakistan’s experimental nuclear reactor acknowledge that Pakistan did not allow any transfer of the fuel from the experimental reactor,” he said.
“This experimental reactor was installed in the mid-60s with the support of the US, which also initially provided the fuel for this facility. The US suggestion to have the fuel transferred was plainly refused by Pakistan. The suggestion that the reactor is producing HEU is completely incorrect,” he said.
In a statement, he said, “The documents released by WikiLeaks reportedly pertain to official communications within the US government system. The US had alerted us to the unauthorised leaks. Since these leaks are in the public domain, we will obviously look at these closely with a view to ensuring that Pakistan’s national interest are not compromised in any manner.”
“However, we are not in a position to comment on the veracity of US internal documents,” he said. President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said, “President Asif Ali Zardari regards Saudi king Abdullah as his elder brother.”
“The so-called leaks are no more than an attempt to create misperception between two important and brotherly Muslim countries,” he said. Basit said Pakistan was an advanced nuclear technology state. “No one can touch Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and assets.
