ISLAMABAD, June 28: Pakistan on Monday declined to accede to demands of the captors who kidnapped its national Amjad Hafeez in Iraq but instructed its mission in Baghdad to make necessary efforts for his release and also sought help of the Iraqi authorities.

"Immediately upon receipt of the information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed the Pakistani Liaison Mission in Baghdad to find out the whereabouts of Mr Hafeez, and make all possible efforts for his earliest release," said a foreign office statement here on Monday.

Mr Hafeez, a driver employed in Kuwait, was ferrying supplies to Balad when kidnapped by unidentified armed men. His captors were demanding release of some detainees from an Iraqi prison and had threatened to behead him if their demand was not met within 72 hours.

In a bid to secure the release of Mr Hafeez, Pakistan's mission in Iraq has been in touch with the Iraqi authorities and also approached religious leaders, the statement said. In this regard, the foreign ministry also called in the Iraqi Liaison Mission in Islamabad on Monday morning.

Reiterating that the Government of Pakistan condemns all forms of terrorism, the statement made it clear that it was Pakistan's policy not to accede to conditions or demands put forth by any hostage-takers.

Sources in the foreign ministry said that Pakistan would not close down its diplomatic mission in Baghdad for which an appeal was made by the Pakistani hostage in a video footage shown by a news channel on Sunday.

In view of the deteriorating security situation in Iraq the Pakistan government has again advised its nationals not to visit Iraq until stability returns to that country.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its earlier advisory to Pakistani nationals to avoid travelling to Iraq in the present circumstances," an official statement said.

Meanwhile, in a brief reaction to the handover of power in Iraq Foreign Office Spokesman Mr Masood Khan said on Monday night: "It is a step in the right direction." There was no official word on Pakistan's policy towards the new government in Iraq.