(2015-11-05) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.] The Floor is open for Questions Question I need Pakistan's official position on China's sovereignty claim over South China Sea Islands, as it is being said that, due to Pakistan's support to China, some of our ASEAN friends did not support Pakistan's candidature for re-election to the Human Rights Council. How do you see this issue? (Muddassar Hussain - Khyber News Agency) Supplementary Question 120 countries had committed support to Pakistan for its Human Rights Council election, including GCC countries. However, they did not vote for Pakistan. Is it true? (Naveed Akbar - Dunya) Answer We believe that the South China Sea issue should be resolved peacefully through dialogue between the relevant parties. Election to the Human Rights Council is a different issue. That Pakistan was not re-elected to the Human Rights Council has nothing to do with our position on South China Sea and relations with the GCC countries. Pakistan enjoys cordial and close relations with GCC countries. As you are aware, a detailed Press Release was issued by the Ministry yesterday regarding the discussion that came up in the Senate on this issue. However, let me make a few points in this regard: i. We received 105 votes, which means that the majority of the UN membership voted for Pakistan. ii. Pakistan maintains a robust and active profile at the international fora. Currently, Pakistan is an elected member of around 20 important UN bodies. This is a manifestation of Pakistan's effective multilateral diplomacy and successful foreign policy. iii. Winning or losing election to a UN body has a lot to do with reciprocal arrangements of support made with other countries. Pakistan had made reciprocal arrangements with a large number of countries. However, some countries remain non-committal until the last minute for a number of reasons, including to enhance their bargaining position. At times, despite verbal commitments, their vote swings and can make a difference. Question We frequently hear about terms such as nuclear terrorism, nuclear security and nuclear safety. Are such terms country-specific? Can you elaborate? (Amjad Ali- PTV News) Answer None of them is country-specific. Nuclear terrorism is a standard term used in the UN Security Council resolution 1540 whereby all states cooperate to ensure that no nuclear material ever reaches non-state actors. It is not country specific but is a process in which all states send reports on work done by them to the UN. Accordingly, Pakistan has submitted four comprehensive reports on national measures to implement UNSC Resolution 1540, which specifically aims to prevent WMD terrorism. Pakistan's Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS) is a model that aspiring nations can emulate. Nuclear safety and security within a state is globally accepted as a national responsibility. As a responsible member of international community, Pakistan has established effective nuclear safety and security regimes at the national level, which continue to be internationally appreciated. Pakistan is also actively engaged in multilateral fora to strengthen nuclear security efforts. Pakistan is a party to Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) and the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). Pakistan is also a Partner Nation of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and actively participates in the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process. Question According to latest reports, an Afghan Taliban faction has chosen Mulla Mohammad Rasool as its leader. In this situation, how will Pakistan bring the Afghan Taliban and the Afghan Government to the negotiating table? Secondly, the Gilgit-Baltistan Committee for Constitutional Reform is scheduled to meet under the chairmanship of Mr. Sartaj Aziz on 11 November 2015. Can you please tell us about the participants? (Fida Hussain- Radio News Network) Answer Our policy on Afghanistan is well known. Afghanistan is our neighbourly, friendly and brotherly country. We desire peace and stability in Afghanistan and have been cooperating with Afghanistan in this regard. Taliban leadership issue is their internal matter. You would recall that, on the request of the Afghan Government, Pakistan had hosted the first round of Afghan peace talks in Murree. We are ready to facilitate another round, if so desired by the Afghan Government. I have no details with regard to your second question. Question In recent months, we have seen rise of extremism in India by extremist organizations such as Shiv Sena. Do you feel that due to the rising extremism in India, a nuclear state, regional and global peace is threatened? (Fakhar Rahman- Dunya TV) Answer We have been expressing our serious concern on the manifestations of extremism and Hindu fundamentalism in India as well as on the terrorist activities of Indian extremist organizations. We expect the international community to also take note of these developments. We have also expressed concern on disruption of functions of Pakistani prominent personalities and artists, scheduled in India, by Indian extremist organizations. Question A representative of EU is coming to Pakistan to raise the issue of illegal migration to European countries in the wake of deteriorating security situation in Syria and Iraq. What is the stance of the Foreign Ministry on illegal migration? (Zarghoon Shah-Geo TV) Answer Pakistan and the EU have Readmission Agreement. Issues relating to illegal migration are discussed by the two sides within the framework of this agreement. Question Why did Pakistan fail to get re-elected to the Human Rights Council? (Kauser-Prime TV) Answer I have already responded to this question. Question As December is approaching, it is said that Pakistan has made a plan for the return of Afghan refugees. Can you please share with us the details of that plan? (Rabia Pir- VOA Radio) Supplementary Question Earlier in the Senate, the Ministry of SAFRON had said that 55,000 Afghans had been repatriated to Afghanistan during the current year. Can you please tell us how many are now in Pakistan and when will the repatriation process be completed? Answer You may like to ask this question to the Ministry of SAFRON, which deals with the issue. Question It has been reported that a high-level Chinese defence official is going to visit Pakistan. Can you please give us some details in this regard? (Fakhar Rahman- Dunya TV) Answer This question was also raised during the last briefing. I had responded that, in view of the strategic nature of Pakistan-China relations, exchange of visits at various levels between the two countries is common. However, since the visit in question is that of a defence official, you may like to ask this question to the Ministry of Defence. Question Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Srinagar after two days. Before this visit, members of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have been arrested by the Indian Government. Howe does Pakistan see this gross violation of human rights by the Indian government? (Naveed Akbar- Dunya) Answer We have seen media reports about the massive crackdown on leaders and political workers of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in Indian Occupied Kashmir. These actions are an attempt by the Indian authorities to stifle the voice of the Kashmiris, who are struggling against the continued Indian occupation and gross human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir. Pakistan condemns the recent crackdown on political workers and especially the leaders of APHC in Indian occupied Kashmir. The massive gathering of people in Indian occupied Kashmir for Hurriyat leadership is a stamp of approval for the realization of the right to self-determination by the Kashmiri people under UN auspices. Question A few days back an Afghan woman was stoned to death in Afghanistan. Although it is an Afghan issue, how do you see this in the context of respect for human rights? (Zarghoon Shah-Geo TV) Answer Everyone has the right to life. This right must be respected by all. Question Do you feel that the rise of extremism in India is their internal matter? Or does Pakistan feel that it will affect the regional peace? (Khalid Jameel- Ab Tak TV) Answer A similar question was asked a short while ago and during the last week's press briefing. Let me reiterate that Pakistan is concerned at the recent rise in extremism in India. We expect the international community to take note of it. Question Did Pakistan act in haste in returning Geeta to India as her family has still not been found? (Muddassar Hussain-Khyber News Agency) Answer Geeta departed for India after Indian authorities confirmed her nationality. Finding her family is their internal matter. I do not wish to comment on it.