ISLAMABAD, June 20: The foreign office on Monday said that there was no pressure on Pakistan regarding the Mukhtaran Mai’s case and reiterated that Islamabad had always endeavoured to uphold the rights of women. In reply to a question whether Pakistan had removed Mukhtaran’s name from the ECL at the intervention of the US government, foreign office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani said: “Let me clarify there is absolutely no pressure as far as this particular case is concerned.”

He said Pakistan had always endeavoured to uphold the rights of women and would ensure that those who committed crimes against women were brought to the book.

The government has not imposed any curbs on Mukhtaran, he said. “There are absolutely no curbs on her. She is free to travel anywhere, any time of her choosing.”

Pointing out that Muktharan’s case was likely to be taken up by the Supreme Court by the end of this month, the spokesman said: “I will urge the media, the NGOs, the entities, both foreign and local, not to comment on this case as it is sub judice.”

He, however, said that she was a victim and sympathies of the government were with her.

He said that Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan would leave for Brussels on Tuesday to attend an international conference on Iraq.

Answering a question, Mr Jilani said Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri had an ‘excellent meeting’ with US President George W. Bush and discussed with him all aspects of bilateral relations.

Asked if the foreign minister had demanded an apology from the US government for the desecration of the Holy Quran by Americans at Guantanamo Bay, he said the matter was still under investigation.

Emphasizing that it had been an issue of priority for Pakistan, Mr Jilani said the foreign minister during his meetings with American officials had conveyed Pakistan’s ‘concern, anger and anguish’ over the alleged desecration of the Holy Quran.

He said the US government would share the Pentagon inquiry report with Pakistan once it was concluded.

In reply to a question about the proposed visit of a Pakistani delegation to the Palestinian territory, the spokesman said that in principle a decision in this regard had been taken during Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas’s visit to Pakistan. However, he added, the modalities of the visit, including the composition of the delegation, would be determined later.—Q.A.

Agencies add: Referring to a statement by a former US ambassador to Afghanistan about the presence of Osama bin Laden, the spokesman said there was a difference in statements on the US side.

“On one side Pakistan’s credentials as frontline state in the war on terrorism have been acknowledged worldwide as well as at the highest level in the US administration, on the other side representatives of the US government are talking in different ways.

“If they have any concrete information about the hideouts of Osama bin Laden they should share it with Pakistan,” Mr Jilani maintained.

About a report that the former vice chief of army staff Gen Mohammad Yusuf had been refused US visa, he said the report was based on ‘some miscommunication’ and added that the visa was being processed.