ISLAMABAD, July 15: The Foreign Office on Saturday said that the reported arrest of two Pakistani nationals in Nepal was in connection with an old case and had no link with the Mumbai blasts as alleged in media reports.

Setting the record straight the Foreign Office spokesperson said: “Our Mission was contacted by the Nepalese police authorities who confirmed that the arrest of two Pakistanis was in connection with an old case dating back to 2001 and that no linkage had been established with the Mumbai blasts.”

The spokesperson disclosed that the Foreign Office had also called the Nepalese Charge d’Affaires to make a demarche asking for consular access and release of the persons.

“Today, the employers of the two persons, Messrs Sachal Engineering Works that had a road construction project with the Nepalese government some years ago, approached the Foreign Office requesting help and gave further details,” she said.

According to the company, the two persons had nothing to do with the 2001 case and had visited Nepal several times for recovery of outstanding payments from the Nepalese Roads and Works Department, the spokesperson said.

“These persons had gone to Nepal on July 8 for the same purpose after seeking prior appointment with the concerned Nepalese Department and were in Nepal when they were detained.”

The Foreign Office spokes-person said the government was in touch with the Nepalese side through diplomatic channels on this matter.