ISLAMABAD, Jan 12: Japan and Germany have sought Pakistan's active support to become permanent members of the United Nations' Security Council.

Informed sources told Dawn said Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, who is scheduled to visit Tokyo in February, would be briefed by the Japanese government to drum up Islamabad's support on the matter.

Japan, Germany, India, Brazil and South Africa are aspirants for permanent membership to the Security Council. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to submit a report on the issue shortly. The report is being finalized internally by the world body.

The sources said Japan was seeking the permanent seat on the plea that it contributed 20 per cent of the total UN budget. Germany wants this status because it says it is one of the major countries of Europe who provide adequate financial support to third World countries.

India and Brazil want permanent membership to the Security Council on the claim of being regional powers. However, when contacted Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan told Dawn that Pakistan had, in principle, decided not to support any country to become the permanent member of the Security Council.

"In fact we are calling for doing away with the system of permanent seats and are urging for semi-permanent seats on rotational basis," he said. Moreover, he pointed out, ever since five new aspirants had made a bloc, there was no question of supporting them on the issue.