Islamabad—A furious diplomatic row erupted between London and Islamabad Wednesday night after British Prime Minister David Cameron accused elements of the Pakistani state of promoting the export of terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed disappointment over the statement of British Prime Minister David Cameron who alleged that Pakistan had been having relations with Taliban. “Such statements could affect the ongoing war against terrorism”, the President stressed.

According to sources, the President expressed these views while talking to Adam Thomson, British High Commissioner to Pakistan who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Thursday.

The President said, Pakistan Army and ISI had no link whatsoever with the Taliban.

Bilateral relations including recent remarks by the British PM David Cameron and other issues of common interest came under discussion in depth.

On a visit to India, Cameron said Pakistan should know “that it is not right to have any relationship with groups that are promoting terror”.

The President told the High Commissioner that Pakistan wanted to continue strong and stable relations with UK adding such statements were not pleasing adding undoubtedly Pakistan had paid more than gaining in war against terrorism.

He said, Pakistan has suffered more financially and in human capital adding that the whole Nation is united to combat the menace of terrorism adding he is utterly disappointed that Cameron made such remarks.

Sources say that President reminded the High Commissioner that Pakistan had helped UK in fighting terror and took steps in tackling the threat of extremism tooth and nail.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani says the recent statements of some foreign leaders criticizing role of Pakistani agencies would affect the war on terror.

He was responding to a point of order raised by Raja Zafarul Haq in the Senate Thursday about statement of the British Prime Minister who alleged that Pakistan was exporting terrorism.

The Prime Minister pointed out that forces of NATO and other countries could not control the situation in Afghanistan despite their heavy numbers and more resources. He said Pakistan is not claiming to be a super power but is making its humble efforts to address the challenge of terrorism.

Commenting on British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks, which he made in India on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that these remarks, coming on the heels of the three very successful high-level visits from Britain to Pakistan, are surprising, to say the least.

The Foreign Minister said here on Thursday that the visits of Britain’s Secretary International Development, Foreign Secretary and Chairperson of Conservative Party to Pakistan had provided useful opportunities for detailed discussions on all issues of mutual interest, including counterterrorism. The Foreign Minister added that Pakistan’s achievements and successes against terrorism cannot be negated or belittled by the disclosure of evidently self-serving and skewed reports on Wikileaks.

“We take serious exception to any suggestion that falsifies facts and tends to put the entire onus of terrorism on Pakistan”, he said.

Foreign Office spokesman said, Cameron’s remarks are contrary to the facts on the ground and have been prompted by reports of Wikileaks website.

He pointed out that one could never draw right conclusions from such misguided reports that were based on raw intelligence. Basit said, “It is important that we should not be creating unnecessary hype around these reports and get distracted.”

The spokesman said, “The world knows very well how Pakistan is contributing to the on-going fight against terrorism and continues doing that in its own interest and not to please any one.”

He said the mania of “do more” should now be stopped as Pakistan has done a lot in this war against terror and suffered huge losses.

The spokesman said terrorism was a global, regional and local issue, Pakistan is a close partner of the international community in this war.

He said the world fully recognises and acknowledges the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan, its security forces and civil population.

The spokesman said Pakistan has done much more than any other country in combating terrorism.

“We are immensely shocked over the anti Pakistan statement given by British Prime Minister, the spokesman said. “If he had reservations against Pakistan, so do we regarding his view”, he added.

He also expressed concern over the Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s statement on Thursday about NATO forces operation in Pakistan.

Pakistan ambassador in Kabul was asked to obtain clarification in respect of Afghan President’s statement.

He said efforts were afoot since long to malign Pakistan and its forces particularly ISI. All such efforts would meet failure, he added. Reports like Wikileaks were baseless and concocted reports which were non existent , he remarked.

The entire world had acknowledged endeavours on the part of Pakistan in war on terror and the sacrifices rendered by its armed forces were far ahead of any country in the world, he underscored.

He went on to say Pakistan was fighting war against terrorism in the most difficult situation adding this war was in its own interest rather than any other country.

He said demand for do more was made from Pakistan on certain occasions but we will not give in to this demand now.

The spokesman said President Asif Ali Zardari would undertake the visit to France from August, 1 and he would meet French President, ministers and other high ranking officials during his visit. Matters related to cooperation in the fields of health , science and technology, trade, education and access for Pakistan products to European Union would be discussed during his visit.

Foreign office spokesman said no back door diplomacy was going on with India.