ISLAMABAD, Jan 19: Pakistan and Norway scrambled on Thursday to contain the fallout of disclosure about presence of Norwegian intelligence operatives in Pakistan.

`We have excellent relations with Norway and an ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism. There is nothing extraordinary about the revelation,` Abdul Basit, who heads the Europe desk at the Foreign Office, told Dawn shortly after meeting Norwegian Ambassador Cecilie Landsverk.

Norwegian security chief Janne Kristiansen had earlier made a startling disclosure in her country`s parliament (Stortinget) that agents affiliated with the `E wing` of Norway`s military intelligence were present in Pakistan.

Mr Basit denied that Ambassador Landsverk had been summoned even though the Foreign Office spokesman had said at his weekly media briefing that details were being sought from the Norwegian government.

Mr Basit claimed that the Norwegian envoy had also planned to brief him about the situation.

The security services were tight-lipped on the matter.

The Norwegian embassy refused to comment on Ambassador Landsverk`s visit to the Foreign Office or presence of the country`sspies in Pakistan.

Ms Kristiansen quit after the slip-up. Her resignation was accepted for having `breached confidentiality through the disclosure of classified information` In Oslo, the second secretary at the Pakistan embassy met the Norwegian foreign ministry`s director to discuss the matter.

Agencies add: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khartold Reuters that more information was needed from Norway`s envoy.

`The ambassador has been called to be able to explain whatever is happening. Because this seemed like a serious news so we obviously want to get to the bottom of it.

Mr Basit said Ms Kristiansen`s comments had not damaged ties between the two countries.

The Norwegian internal security chief had revealedthe confidential information during an open parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.

Ms Kristiansen, who led the PST agency, did not say why the agents were in Pakistan.

`Janne Kristiansen has informed the justice minister that she will resign,` the Norwegian justice ministry said in a statement.

Norway`s police said they would investigate possible criminal liability for the breach.

According to a transcript of the parliamentary hearing, Ms Kristiansen was asked if Norway should have contacts with Pakistani intelligence.

She replied that the intelligence agency operated by the armed forces, the E service, was already working in Pakistan.

`The E service has its representatives in these countries, so we cooperate via the E service about this country, she said.

Ms Kristiansen `expressed herself in a way that could be interpreted as a breach of confidentiality`, Justice Minister Grete Faremo said.

According to Norwegian media, she said in reply to a question by a lawmaker about Norway`s contacts with Pakistani security and intelligence agencies that the PST did not have `official collaboration` with Pakistan, but added that the military intelligence service had `representation in these countries`.