ISLAMABAD, Feb 10: Pakistan on Monday denied that it had decided to withdraw its diplomatic staff from Baghdad because of a threat of war on Iraq.

However, a foreign office spokesman confirmed that Islamabad had advised family members and non-essential staff at the embassy to return. He did not give a number for those likely to leave Baghdad.

The spokesman, Aziz Ahmad Khan, told his weekly briefing that no Pakistan embassy diplomatic staff had been advised to leave Baghdad and added that Pakistan’s ambassador and other diplomats were in position in the Iraqi capital.

Asked to comment on the alleged statement of the British prime minister that after Iraq, Pakistan would have to scale down its nuclear programme, the spokesman said he did not think the statement in question had been correctly reproduced. However, he pointed out as was well-known Pakistan’s nuclear programme had a very good command and control structure and was in safe hands and everyone was aware that it was defensive in nature.

He further stated that the Pakistan’s nuclear programme was for the country’s requirement and insisted “it is not to be dictated to by other people.”

Dwelling on last week’s tit-for-tat diplomatic row between Delhi and Islamabad which led to expulsion of the two acting high commissioners of Pakistan and India on short notice of 48 hours and four aides in each of the two missions, the spokesman, who was responding to a question, said it was not Pakistan which had set the pace (in reducing diplomatic representation) in each other’s country.

Mr Khan said Pakistan had not sought reduction in diplomatic staff and stressed Islamabad wanted that there should be normal functioning of diplomatic contacts between the two countries. It was not Pakistan which had been setting the pace. He further said that replacement of four staff members of the Indian mission was not immediately envisaged.

Replying to a question, he said Pakistan would be willing to talk to India on easing facilities in obtaining visas.

Without specifying the date and other details, the spokesman confirmed that Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was due to pay a visit to Iran soon.

He reiterated Pakistan’s suggestion for the deployment of UN observers on both sides of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir to verify any “infiltration” from Pakistan.