ISLAMABAD, May 8: The United States has agreed not to post the controversial ex-Guantanamo Bay prison chief, Maj-Gen Jay W. Hood, in Pakistan after a public uproar in the country against his appointment.

“The US government has taken note of the sensitivities of Pakistan government and the public regarding the posting of Gen Hood and it (the posting) would not materialise now,” a diplomatic source told Dawn on Thursday.

Gen Hood, whose tenure as the commanding general of Guantanamo Bay prison was marred by scandals of sacrilege of Holy Quran and human rights violations of the inmates during detention and interrogation, was posted by Pentagon in March as the chief of office of the US Defence Representative in Pakistan, a division of the US embassy.

The US government had claimed that Gen Hood’s nomination was a reflection of the continued US interest in cooperating with the Pakistani armed forces. No particular reasons were given by the US government for posting such a person in Pakistan where religious sentiments run high, except for that he was a senior military officer.

His appointment came under intense public and media criticism in Pakistan and frequent references were made to his conduct as the chief of Guantanamo Bay prison where hundreds of Muslim prisoners, many of them Pakistanis, have been held without charge.Equally, the government was also criticised for not having refused his nomination and remaining silent over the issue despite public sensitivities.

In reply to a question about the posting, Foreign Office Spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said at his weekly press briefing on Thursday that the government was addressing the issue keeping in view the sentiments and sensitivities of the public.

Although he did not categorically say that Gen Hood was not being posted in Pakistan, he diplomatically said that “the best possible solution” would be achieved. However, Mr Sadiq categorically stated that Gen Hood was not in Pakistan.

War on Terror: Comparing the new government’s policy towards militancy and terrorism with that of the previous administration, Mr Sadiq said that essentially there was more emphasis now on political dialogue and the government was in the leading position in the process.

Previously all counter-terrorism initiatives have been handled by security forces.

The PPP government after coming into power had announced a three-pronged policy -- political, socio-economic development and security components. As part of the political engagement, the government had offered talks to tribesmen and those who renounced militancy.

Mr Sadiq reiterated the government’s resolve that military option would not be given up.

“The security requirements will not be abandoned or ignored and the negotiations will only supplement the military efforts,” the spokesman said, adding that the international community had supported the approach.

MUMBAI CONSULATE: Mr Sadiq said that while Pakistan had made the request to the Indian government for opening its consulate, it was looking for an alternative place.

“Pakistan’s request to the Indian government for opening its consulate in Jinnah House remains. In the meantime, Pakistan has continued efforts to find another premise in Mumbai.”

A team of officials from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi will visit Mumbai soon to find an alternative property for rent or purchase. Mr Sadiq said that as soon as a suitable property was available Pakistan would open its consulate.

The delay in opening the consulate has delayed the opening of Indian consulate in Karachi.