Pakistan takes up phone-tapping issue with US

Pakistan Thursday said it has raised the issue of phone-tapping with the US following reports that its agencies had put phones in Pakistan under surveillance.

"We had taken up this matter with the US authorities. We are in touch with them to address this matter," Xinhua quoted Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry as telling the media.

""Any act which impinges on the sovereignty of any country and privacy of citizens is a matter of concern. We have taken up this matter with the US and are trying to resolve this matter," Chaudhry said.

When asked about an Iranian minister's statement that a gas pipeline project with Pakistan could be scrapped, the spokesman said Pakistan remained committed to all options for addressing energy needs, including the Iran-Pakistan pipeline project.

On Pakistan's relations with India, the spokesman said Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz would travel to India to participate in an Asia-Europe meeting Nov 10-11.

He said Pakistan was committed to the bilateral dialogue process with India to address all outstanding issues.

"We hope and expect that the Indian side will engage with us in a meaningful dialogue to resolve outstanding issues," Ahmed said.