Pakistan has summoned Britain's top diplomatic representative in the country in response to remarks by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who suggested that Pakistan promotes the export of terror.
Mr. Cameron's remarks, during a trip to India last week, sparked anger in Pakistan, which has launched a military campaign against Taliban and al-Qaida-linked militants within its borders.
During Monday's meeting in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told the British envoy, High Commissioner Adam Thomson, that terrorism is a global issue that has to be dealt with by all countries "rather than putting the entire onus on one country."
A spokeswoman for Britain's prime minister said Monday he stands by his remarks. She said Mr. Cameron has acknowledged that Pakistan is taking action against extremism, and that the issue will be discussed further when the prime minister meets with Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari later this week.
President Zardari traveled to France on Monday for talks with his counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy. The discussion was expected to focus on intelligence-sharing and fighting terrorism.
The Pakistani president goes next to Britain, where he is to meet with Prime Minister Cameron at his official country residence outside London on Friday.
Pakistan's Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told the BBC he hopes the British government will change its perspective on Pakistan following Friday's talks.
Mr. Cameron's remarks on the export of terrorism came after the leak of classified U.S. military documents detailing alleged ties between Pakistan's intelligence services and Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.