AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Opening Remarks
Tonight may be the night of Laila-tul-Qadr, the most blessed night of all. I congratulate all those who may get blessed. Let us avail the occasion to pray for the prosperity and progress of Pakistan and Muslim fraternity and all those who are less privileged than us.
We are deeply saddened by the enormous death toll of innocent people in Turkey, as a result of terrorist attack, yesterday. Pakistan has strongly condemned the incident. Our prayers in this holy month of Ramadan are for the victims and for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Pakistan successfully entered the final phase of formalities to become permanent member of SCO following the signing of Memorandum of Obligation in Tashkent on 24 June 2016 at the SCO Summit. It is a significant landmark on our foreign policy front. President led the Pakistan delegation whereas Adviser Mr. Sartaj Aziz signed the MoD.
UAE-Pakistan Friendship Road in FATA was inaugurated on 25 June 2016. UAE senior official Incharge of ‘Project to Assist Pakistan’ said: “This vital road is nothing but the product of a long history of love, togetherness and cohesion between the leaders and peoples of the two countries”.
Pakistan has welcomed recent development in the relations between Turkey and Russia. It is good omen for regional peace and stability in these challenging times.
Now the Floor is open for Questions
Question
Indian Prime Minister recently said in an interview that India is in no hurry to restart any dialogue with Pakistan. How do you view this arrogance? (Mohsin Raza – Daily Isas)
Answer
We do not usually respond to news reports.
Let me tell you our position on dialogue with India. We feel that dialogue is the best option for both sides to resolve their issues. We have said this earlier also that we remain open to dialogue. We will be ready whenever India is ready.
Question
Regarding the Istanbul blast, were there any Pakistanis casualties? My second question relates to MTCR, why is Pakistan not ready to sign it? (Amber Shamsi – BBC)
Answer
We are in contact with our missions in Ankara and Istanbul. As of now, there have been no reported Pakistani casualties. Similarly, we have not received information about any Pakistani among the injured.
Any Pakistani who might have been affected, although we have no such reported case as of now, our Missions there can be approached for any assistance.
About MTCR, I would like to say that the decision to apply for membership of multilateral export control regimes is taken through consultations among all stakeholders. We will continue our engagement with MTCR and consider appropriate timing for our MTCR application.
We do not view the question of timing of our MTCR application to be linked to another country’s application. MTCR is a voluntary regime and Pakistan voluntarily follows all guidelines of the MTCR regime.
Question
Whenever Pakistani artists go to India, they were faced with protests and threats by the Hindu extremists. What is our stance on this? (Khawaja Nayar Iqbal – Kashmir Post)
Answer
The leadership on both sides believe that all measures should be taken to reduce tension and create an enabling atmosphere. A very important element in this effort is people-to-people contacts. I agree that there are elements, who you mentioned, try to impede such contacts. But there are others who welcome people-to-people contacts.
Another area regarding exchanges between the people of the two countries is religious tourism. There are holy sites on both sides, which attract visitors/devotees from both the countries. There are number of Sikh, Hindu and Buddhists holy sites in Pakistan.
Question
I have three questions, firstly whether QCG is dead or alive and what steps are being taken by Pakistan to bring Taliban to the negotiating table?
Secondly, there are reports that the agreement between the Afghan government and Hizb-e-Islami Hekmatyar is on the rocks. Is it because Afghan government is not sincere towards peace talks?
My third questions is regarding Prime Minister Modi, he said with “whom should India talk with” in Pakistan. Your comments?(Shaukat Peracha – Aaj TV)
Answer
Regarding QCG, all members of the QCG have continued to reiterate that they are committed to the QCG process. Pakistan is serious and sincere about peace and stability in Afghanistan. We will be ready to assist the QCG process whenever the Afghan Government is ready.
Regarding your second question, I will not comment on the intentions of the Afghan government. But it is clear that for peace and stability in Afghanistan, the Afghan Government as well as all Afghan factions need to be engaged in serious peace negotiations.
As to your third question, the people of Pakistan take great pride in the Armed Forces and revere them for their services to the country with the ultimate sacrifices. No amount of efforts can create a wedge between the civil and military leadership of Pakistan. Armed Forces of Pakistan fully support the democratic process.
Question
Recently, former Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar stated that whenever there is a military regime in Pakistan, they take more initiatives for peace with India, whereas civilian governments cannot do so because of their fragility. Your comments. (Abid Khursheed – ATV)
Answer
As you know, we don’t comment on statements of political leaders. Pakistan remains committed to peaceful neighborhood policy, which includes India.
Question
Afghanistan National Security Adviser has accused Pakistan of helping Daesh fighters in Afghanistan. What are your comments on this? (Ishtiaq Ahmed – VOA)
Answer
This is a baseless allegation. Such statements serve only those who are averse to peace in Afghanistan and want to create a wedge in our bilateral ties. Pakistan is engaged in a comprehensive effort against terrorism and extremism.
Question
Government of Pakistan has given an extension in the deadline for Afghan refugees to stay in Pakistan. However, this has been opposed by the KPK government which has said that they will not entertain refugees after 30th June 2016. Your comments please. (Sufi Yousafzai – Mashraq TV)
Answer
Let me give you our stance on this issue. There are still about three million Afghans in Pakistan. Nearly half of them are registered as Afghan refugees. Pakistan would like these refugees to go back with honour and dignity. The government has extended the stay until
31 December 2016. We hope that the Afghan Government and UNHCR will engage in serious dialogue for their early return. The Prime Minister has generously offered to provide whatever assistance is required for transferring and sustaining the camps to Afghanistan and their ultimate integration into Afghan society.
Question
India leaves no occasion to malign Pakistan, especially, on account of Mumbai attacks. Has India responded to the Foreign Secretary’s letter for more evidence? (Fakhar-ur-Rahman – Turkish News Agency/Such TV)
Answer
The Foreign Secretary had written to the Indian Foreign Secretary regarding evidence required for early conclusion of Mumbai trials. The response from the Indian side is still awaited.
Question
Kulbhushan Yadav was arrested in March 2016. Can you share whether his confession has helped us crack RAW network or other elements engaged in destabilizing Pakistan? When is Pakistan going to submit next dossiers to the UN & others on Kulbhushan? (Sheeba Mahar – Daily SAMAA)
Answer
The investigation with Kulbushan Yadav is in process. Our law enforcement agencies are working on the information gathered from him and making efforts to apprehend the network of individuals involved in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan. We will continue to update the international community, particularly, the United Nations and other international players as the situation warrants.
Question
In India, there has been strong reaction against Pakistan and China due to its failure of becoming NSG member. How do you see the NSG scenario? (Salman Rao – Television News Network)
Answer
Regarding NSG, the Pakistan’s principle position is that the question on NSG membership must be dealt with in a single, uniform, non-discriminatory and criteria-based approach, which is essential for maintaining strategic stability in South Asia. NSG participating governments acknowledged the merits of adopting the criteria-based approach rather than a country specific exemption. This stand resonated Pakistan’s position that I just mentioned. However, Pakistan firmly believes that it has credentials and merit to become member of NSG. Therefore, we will continue our efforts to seek NSG membership.
NSG members did not deliberate on applications rather they discussed how to deal with the request of non-NPT countries.
Question
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mr. Tariq Fatemi recently remarked that after the recent drone attack the QCG process was practically dead. Your comments. (Fida Hussain-Radio News Network)
Answer
The QCG process is still continuing and I have already answered this question.
Question
Of the three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, half of them are registered and others are unregistered. You said that deadline for their stay in Pakistan has been extended till 31st December 2016. Is that the policy for both registered and unregistered refugees or there is a separate policy for unregistered refugees in Pakistan? (Essa Naqvi_ Dunya TV)
Answer
I am not aware of the details. However, the date has been extended up to 31st December 2016. For further details, you may approach Ministry of SAFRON for details.
Question
There were reports that US Senator John Mc Cain may visit Pakistan in connection with the F-16 issue. Is the option to get F-16s from the US still open or has that chapter has been closed? And do you have any further information about this powerful senator’s visit to Pakistan in the near future? (Matten Haider-Dawn news)
Answer
The visit will be taking place, shortly.
With regard to the F-16s, we have kept the media in the loop about the process. The initial stage was the decision to give F-16s to Pakistan that was taken in favor of Pakistan. The second issue was about financial arrangements and this is where we had some issues with the US side. The purpose of the sale was to help Pakistan in its counter-terrorism efforts. Terrorism is not just Pakistan’s problem but a global issue, which requires a cooperative approach. The purpose was to enhance Pakistan’s precision strike capability.
There have been a number of statements regarding alternatives. I have said earlier that don’t just look at Pakistan-US relations through the prism of this sale, the relationship is much broader. And, in diplomacy we never say doors are closed.
Question
Which countries have applied for establishing their consulates in Lahore and how many are going to be given permission for that? Whether Foreign Office is going to establish diplomatic enclave? (Kausar Lodhi_ Prime News)
Answer
I will have to check with the Protocol division.
Question
All Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Pakistan have been asked to join a conference on foreign policy here, my question is whether the Prime Minister will have a meeting with all the ambassadors or he will meet them separately region wise? (Asghar Ali Mubarak_ Daily Mail Islamabad)
Answer
An envoys conference is expected to take place next month. This is a standard practice. Our envoys are consulted periodically and whenever warranted. Usually, not all the envoys are invited for consultations. The agenda of upcoming conference is being set.
Question
Pakistan gives different statements, sometimes Pakistan says that it has influence on Afghan Taliban and sometime it says that it does not have any influence. So what is the reality? (Tariq Sial_Daily Times)
Answer
Influence is not mathematically measureable or a one plus one issue. The situation in Afghanistan that you see today has a history that dates back to the events of 1979. You will have to understand the whole background of the scenario which you see today and with regard to the role which Pakistan is expected to play towards peace and stability in Afghanistan. Other countries also see Pakistan as a vital country to play an important role in peace and stability in Afghanistan. In the QCG, there are four members, one of them is Afghanistan and the other three are facilitators. These three along with Afghanistan have influence on various factions to varying degree who we want to bring to the negotiating table. This requires collective effort. It is not any one country’s responsibility.
The Adviser has very candidly deliberated on this point in terms of influence, in terms of what we can do, and in terms of our commitment towards peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Question
This is just the follow-up of the question about the US Senator’s visit to Pakistan which you have confirmed. Can you give us the specifics of agenda of the delegation led by Senator Mc Cain? (Qasim Nauman_Wall street Journal)
Answer
I don’t have information as yet. Normally these things are not discussed in public. He chairs the Armed Services Committee.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs