[This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] There are no opening remarks The floor is now open for Questions: Question: Regarding the recent Pakistan-India FS level talks, from the media reports that we can conclude that both foreign secretaries have failed to agree on a start of dates of bilateral dialogue between the two countries. Secondly, the Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary during his press briefing informed that he had taken up the issue of Indian Involvement in FATA and Balochistan. Did any documentary evidence was shared with the Indian Foreign Secretary in this regard? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer: Both these questions were also put to the Foreign Secretary to which he responded during his briefing. You have already heard from the horse mouth, there is nothing I can add to it. I would not like to characterize it as failure. India had characterized it as a visit in the context of SAARC. We said that it is a visit that is taking place in lieu of the August visit as an ice breaker. It is a process. The meeting was held in a constructive and positive atmosphere. As regards your other question again I would repeat that what Foreign Secretary said earlier that we would not like to go into details at this stage. Question: Pakistan Ambassador to US has reportedly said that Pakistan would welcome US troops in Afghanistan beyond 2016. Can you confirm this? Secondly, are there any lingering issues between Pakistan and US for economic and military assistance beyond 2016? (Shahid Rehman-Japanese News Agency) Answer: Regarding your second question, at the last briefing, a detailed response was given on the subject, which is also available on our website. As regards the presence of US troops in Afghanistan. We have been suggesting a responsible drawdown. It is essentially it is for the Afghan Government to decide how long they require foreign troops and what kind of assistance from other partners they expect. Question: Whenever there is a terrorist attack in India, it blames Pakistan for it. Why there is a trust deficit between the two countries? What are your comments on delaying tactics used by India on start of formal dialogue between the two countries? (Khawaja Nayer Iqbal- Kashmir Post) Answer: First the menace of terrorism, as the Foreign Secretary said at the briefing day before yesterday, is a problem that affects all particularly this region. We have our concerns, India has its concerns. Hence, this issue needs to be addressed in a cooperative manner. Pakistan has suffered the most because of terrorism. We have done more than any other country to counter terrorism. We expect similar approach from other countries. As regards blaming Pakistan, I do not want to go into details of such incidents. It is not a good approach to blame every terrorist attack on others. We expect that first investigations should be conducted only then we can talk about it. Question: King Salman has long history of taking actions against Daesh (Islamic State). Pakistan is also facing threats from Daesh (Islamic State), according to Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary. Can the two countries join hands against the Daesh (Islamic State)? Secondly, there are reports that Qari Din Muhammad Afghan Taliban negotiator had visited Pakistan and met the Prime Minister. Can you confirm this? (Imdad Hussain-Online News Agency) Answer: On your second question, I do not have any information about this visit. As regards the official visits between Pakistan and Afghanistan, they take place regularly. We have said it and I would reiterate it again that we support Afghan led, Afghan owned reconciliation process and we would facilitate it to the every extent possible. With regard to your other question, terrorism is a menace that no country can fight alone. We cooperate with other countries and also need cooperation of all countries. The Prime Minister met the King yesterday. They underscored the close and brotherly relations between two countries. They also identified a number of fields for enhanced bilateral cooperation, including energy, trade, investment, security and of course, counter-terrorism efforts. A detailed press release has already been issued on this meeting. Question: Recently, some Afghan diplomats were arrested in Peshawar. In this regard, a Pakistan diplomat was called by Afghan Foreign Office in Kabul to lodge its protest against the arrest. Can you share details in this regard? Secondly, is there any Afghan delegation visiting Pakistan to discuss border management? (Waqas Rafique-Capital TV) Answer: Under the National Action Plan for Counter-Terrorism, the security agencies are actively pursuing the terrorist elements. There is a new Tenant Information System in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, under which all tenants have to register with police. On 26 February 2015, during a regular security check at an apartment building in Peshawar, police, some people were taken to police station to ascertain their credentials. It turned out that two employees of the Afghan Consulate in Peshawar, who were not registered with the Police as tenants, were among them. Once diplomatic credentials of the Consulate’s employees were established, they were immediately released. The incident was inadvertent. Pakistan scrupulously follows internationally accepted diplomatic norms as well as Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations. Nevertheless, all concerned have been advised to be careful in dealing with diplomats to avoid any future recurrence. The diplomats are also advised to inform the local authorities about their location to obviate the possibility of such incidents. Question: Recently, Turkey and Saudi Arabia have joined hands to forge Sunni Unity against rising challenges in the Islamic World. Can you share Pakistan’s stance on it? (Ali Hussain – Business recorder) Answer: It is a very speculative question. Pakistan always stood for the unity of the Muslim Ummah. We do not look at Muslim Ummah through sectarian, racial, or ethnic prism. Question: Iranian Government has asked Pakistan’s Foreign Office to hand over an arrested Iranian terrorist in Pakistan to Iran. What are the steps taken by the Pakistan Foreign Office in this regard? ( Munafi-IRNA) Answer: We have seen media reports about arrest of Abdul Salam Sattar Regi, an Iranian national on 28 February 2015 in Baluchistan. So far, there is no confirmation of this news. We are in contact with concerned Federal and Provincial authorities to check the veracity of media report regarding his arrest. We have just received a request from Iranian Consulate in Quetta for Consular access to Mr. Regi and not for his extradition. ******************