US has raised no concern over Axact issue: Foreign Office

Published May 21, 2015
FO spokesperson Qazi M. Khalilullah addressing the weekly press briefing. -APP
FO spokesperson Qazi M. Khalilullah addressing the weekly press briefing. -APP

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi M. Khalilullah on Thursday said that the United States has conveyed no concern to Pakistan over local IT company Axact's alleged fake degrees scam.

Read: NYT accuses software firm of running fake degree empire

Answering questions in a news briefing about allegations levelled by a New York Times report against Axact, Khalilullah maintained that no foreign country, including the US, has raised any concern over the issue.

He said Pakistani agencies were investigating the accusations against Axact upon directions of the Interior Ministry.

"Investigations are underway and we have to wait for their completion," the spokesman said.

Also read: Nisar urges media to abstain from Axact scandal 'hype'

Other matters

Khalilullah confirmed the agreement between Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Afghan intelligence outfit National Directorate of Security (NDS) aimed at bolstering fight against terrorism.

He said that the accord between the two agencies was part of a bilateral agreement in the field of security and counter-terrorism.

The spokesman rejected a Sunday Times report about nuclear deal between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia and said that there was no truth to such reports.

"Pakistan is aware of its responsibilities as a nuclear state," he said.

"Pakistan's nuclear programme is meant for its security and there is a strong command and control system over it," Khalilullah said.

Responding to a question, Khalilullah said that the dialogue process with India had not resumed as yet but efforts were underway to resuming talks with as "good ties with neighbours are a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy".

Khalilullah said there was no hint regarding the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pakistan.

Sessions court Lahore summons Axact, FIA officials

A petition was filed by Advocate Chaudhry Saeed Zafar in Lahore's sessions court on Wednesday which sought the confiscation of records from Axact's Lahore office to be used in investigation.

The petition was heard today by Additional Sessions Judge Mazhar Saleem who summoned Federal Investigations Agency Director Punjab Dr Usman and Axact Lahore's regional director on May 28 for comments on the petition.

Additional reporting by Imran Gabol.

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