AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, October 25, 2012 (PPI-OT): [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated]
There are no opening remarks to make. But I look forward to your questions.
Questions and Answers:
Question
I would like to draw your attention and seek the official position of the Government of Pakistan on Durand Line, currently there is tussle between Afghanistan and United States on this particular border and Ambassador Grossman had said that United States recognizes as the International border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and Afghanistan has protested on this statement and says that this is not an international border. What is official position of Pakistan on Durand Line?
Answer
As far as the official response of the Government of Pakistan is concerned, the Durand Line is a closed and settled issue. We regard it as the recognized international border, and the international community also recognizes it so.
Question
It should not be considered a coincidence that two fresh examples of terror diatribes against Pakistan one from Hamid Karzai and the second from New Delhi that Pakistan is now facing the price of exporting terrorism into its neighbouring states one Afghanistan and other India. Hamid Karzai took the opportunity to talk about the attack on Malala and the next day attack in KPK. Is Pakistan in a position to denounce such statements which are declaring Pakistan as a terrorist state?
Answer
Our commitment to fight terrorism and extremism is beyond any doubt and I don’t need to provide any justification or clarification on that. I think our actions speak louder in this regard. We have seen such statements coming from Afghanistan particularly, and we have said this earlier as well, that Pakistan wants to promote friendly relations with all neighbouring states including Afghanistan on the basis of mutual respect and common interest. We would like to have a mature and responsible dialogue between the two countries. And we hope that we avoid conducting diplomacy through the media.
Question
How you see Barack Obama’s statement that if the information about Osama Bin Laden would have shared with Pakistan he might have been escaped. Do you think that they want to say that they have mistrust on Pakistani intelligence? How do you see this statement?
Answer
I think President Obama can respond to this question better so I would refer you to him, but as far as we are concerned, our position on the OBL incident is very clear and we made it very clear immediately after the incident as well, that fighting terrorism within Pakistan’s territory is Pakistan’s responsibility and we don’t want anybody else to take over our responsibility.
Question
One supplementary question to the earlier question on Afghanistan issue. We have been having good dialogue with Afghanistan. A Joint Commission has been established. It had meeting both in Kabul and Islamabad. Why it was felt necessary to give a statement from Islamabad that the two sides should have a mature dialogue. Is it because of some serious dearth of understanding between the two sides as it has been in the past? The second question is as I don’t think we will be meeting before US elections going to take place on next Tuesday so as we have heart the debate between the two presidential candidates and they have talked a lot about Pakistan and there was a consensus between the two presidential candidates that drone strikes to Pakistan would be continued so what are the expectations of Pakistan about the outcome of US elections because however elections is US’s internal matter but it does affect Pakistan as well?
Answer
Regarding your first question, I would not really regard this relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan going through some turmoil or some serious misunderstandings. What I do want to reiterate is that Afghanistan’s peace and stability is in Pakistan’s core interest, and it is our desire that we want to promote good neighbourly relations with Afghanistan. However, we also feel that there are some issues and we both want to address those issues, as it is in our common interests to do so. We should handle these issues diplomatically and keep them away from the media.
There might be difference of opinion, but the objective is the same. We are both interested in peace and stability in Afghanistan. Terrorism is a common threat to us, and the best way to solve our issues is through dialogue and consultation. All channels of communications are available to both sides.
Regarding the second part of your question, our policy on drones is very clear and I would say it again that the drones are illegal, counterproductive and a violation of our territorial integrity and they are in contravention of international law.
I would not comment on as to what they are saying or debating about, but I would say that we are very clear on the issue of drones. Whosoever is in the government we will be dealing with them. Of course elections are their internal matter and it is for the people of the US to decide who they want to see in government from 2013 onwards. Let me also say that our relationship with the US is broad based and we are keen to strengthen it further.
Question
My question is that Pakistan calls drones strikes an attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty and Pakistan calls US as a friendly country so kindly elaborate and also it is a common practice that felicitation or congratulations messages are sent to the newly elected Government of any country from the President and Prime Minister through Foreign Office and as the both presidential candidates have declared that they will carry on with the drone strikes inside Pakistan, so are we going to congratulate a president who is going to carry on drone strikes inside Pakistan?
Answer
You may have difference of opinion between friends, so it remains an issue between us. There is a divergence of views, but we feel that this issue can be resolved bilaterally, and that is what we are trying to do. And, of course, whosoever will be elected, will be congratulated by the President of Pakistan.
Question
Without getting into the internal debate of US elections, Presidential candidate governor Romney said something interesting about the civilian rule in Pakistan or rather the lack of it. He said Pakistan is not like other countries where civilians are not in charge. He also said that the ISI is another stand alone independent branch of the Government of Pakistan. I think we need a clarification to that report in the US media?
Answer
We have a fully functioning democracy in Pakistan, with the Prime Minister as the Chief Executive, and all institutions, I repeat all institutions, come under the Prime Minister.
Question
It has been reported in the Express Tribune that Afghan officials have said that Pakistan has not shared any intelligence on Maulvi Fazlullah being present in Afghanistan. So have we officially asked Government of Afghanistan to hand over Maulvi Fazlullah to Pakistan? Second question: Afghan officials say that the books for Afghan children have still not been delivered to Afghanistan. The books were blocked due to the blockade of the NATO supply routes to Afghanistan so the books are still in Karachi?
Answer
Regarding your second question I will have to check because I think the decision in principle had already been taken regarding the release of NATO supplies. If I recall correctly, there were some containers carrying books for Afghan children and my understanding is that the government had allowed those containers to pass.
There may be some requirements to be completed, perhaps by the Customs authorities, we’ll have to check on that. Regarding Fazlullah, let me tell you very clearly that we have shared dossier on Moulvi Fazlullah with the Afghan Government, as well as with the ISAF.
Question
In one of your briefings you said that the issue of release of Afghan Talibans prisoners into Pakistan is being considered. Yesterday Mullah Omar have issued a statement in which he appealed neighbouring governments to release Afghan Taliban prisoners so can you tell us the latest situation on the issue?
Answer
The issue of Afghan prisoners is under consideration. This is one of the issues that Pakistan and Afghan governments are trying to address.
Question
There are media reports that the Afghan Presidential Spokesman Mr. Amil Faizi has asked Government of Pakistan to issue visas to the Afghan Taliban leadership in peace process negotiations. If you are confirming then what is Pakistan’s position on it?
Answer
I am not aware of any such request.
Question
What is Pakistan’s position on the Senkaku Island dispute between Japan and China?
Answer
Japan is the best friend of Pakistan. China is also an all-weather and best friend of Pakistan, and we desire that both our friends address this issue through negotiations, and resolve it peacefully.
For more information, contact:
Syed Haider Ali Jafri
Personal Secretary
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 921 0335 and 9056604