(2016-10-06) Opening Remarks Bismillah IrRehman NirRahim Assalaam Alaikum! We strongly condemn continued Indian brutalities in occupied Jammu & Kashmir in which Indian occupation forces have martyred more than 110 civilians and over 15,000 are injured with many in critical condition. We deplore the inhuman Indian act of deliberately shooting into the eyes of Kashmiris, including children, using pellets guns, which has caused severe eye injuries to about 850 people, over 160 of whom have become permanently blind while hundreds partially. Three months long reign of state terrorism by India have also inflicted sufferings adding more to the existing humanitarian crisis by systematic and deliberate creation of shortage of food, medicines, water, basic amenities of life, etc. We condemn India for these inhuman acts. The Indian savageries have put the humanity to shame. Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has been kept under prolonged house detention despite his ailing health. His house has been converted into a sub-jail. We are deeply concerned about the health condition of JKLF Chairman Mr. Yasin Malik who has developed life-threatening heart problems due to inhuman treatment meted out to him during his illegal detention. Hurriyat Leaders, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Shabir Shah, Massarat Alam, and many others also remain under detention. A couple of days back popular Kashmiri women's leader Ms. Assiya Andrabi, Chairperson Dukhtaran-e-Millat, has also been arrested. Pakistan condemns detention / arrests of the Kashmiri Leaders, who are peacefully struggling for their right to self-determination, promised to them in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We urge India to release thousands of political prisoners who have been booked under the lawless law Public Safety Act. Families of the arrested are deeply concerned as their fate remains unknown. We urge international community, particularly the prominent human rights organizations, to take notice of the genocide and crimes against humanity being committed by Indian occupation forces in IoK, help stop the bloodshed and HR violations in IoK and arrange provision of food, medicines and basic necessities to halt the humanitarian catastrophe. UN Human Rights Commissioner, while expressing his serious concern over grave human rights violations in IoK, has once again called for a fact-finding mission to IoK. The visit of the President of Belarus, which concluded today, was very productive. Most importantly, the Joint Declaration signed by the two Leaders, inter alia, states that 'Kashmir dispute should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council's Resolutions on Kashmir. Belarus appreciated Pakistan's adherence to the NSG Guidelines and Control Lists, commitment to non-proliferation, nuclear safety and security as well as about the ability to supply items on the NSG Control Lists. Belarus emphasized the importance of a non-discriminatory approach to the issue of non-NPT states membership in the NSG that should lead to its settlement by consensus. Belarus and Pakistan shared views on UNSC Reforms and peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. Belarus recognized Pakistan's role in QCG. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs represented Pakistan at the Conference on Afghanistan in Brussels. In addition to the existing US$ 500 million for projects in infrastructure, health and education sectors, Pakistan has pledged US$ 500 million more yesterday in development assistance to Afghanistan. Pakistan and EU also held 3rd session of Strategic Dialogue during which the two sides agreed to upgrade the existing 5-year engagement plan to an EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement, to be approved at the next EU-Pakistan Summit. Floor is now open for Questions Question We have seen how Premier Modi's claims of surgical strikes have proven false. Even from within India, dissenting voices are emerging on the issue. We have also seen media reports about Indian media preparing forged videos of this strike. How will Pakistan respond to this? (Khawaja Nayaar Iqbal - Kashmir Post) Answer Pakistan has rejected the baseless Indian claim of carrying out "surgical strikes" on the LoC. Falsified and irresponsible statements can only escalate tensions and are indeed a threat to the regional peace and security, which India sought to create on purpose. We have seen a number of queries that have been raised on the sketchy and vague claim of the Indian government, even within India. ISPR took the media people to the area to see for them what the truth was. Subsequently, you may have seen many media accounts testifying that nothing there supported the Indian claim of any surgical strike. UNMOGIP also visited the area and found nothing in support of the Indian claim. Question Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Ban-ki-Moon said that the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan had not directly observed any firing across the LoC related to the latest incidents. Your comments. Secondly, as the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, is currently in Brussels to attend the Afghanistan Conference, did he meet the Afghan Leadership and took up the matter of establishing sustainable peace in Afghanistan with the Afghan leadership, and reviving the QCG process? (Shaukat Paracha - Aaj TV) Answer We have seen comments of the Spokesperson of the UN Secretary General, which categorically reject the Indian claim. The UNMOGIP has the mandate to observe the situation on the LoC and its assessment is highly valuable. To your second question, the Adviser had meetings on the sidelines with Afghan leadership, including President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani. During these meetings, the Adviser discussed the efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan including the important role of the QCG in advancing those efforts. Peace and stability in Afghanistan is vital for Pakistan's peace and stability. At the Brussels Conference the international community has committed to sustained efforts towards Afghan reconstruction and development, which would help promote stability not only in Afghanistan but in the region. I have also mentioned in opening remarks that Pakistan has also pledged an additional US$ 500 million to that end. Question We have heard reports of Pakistani and Indian National Security Advisers establishing contact apparently after the Indian ties about surgical strikes back fired. Could you please confirm and share more details on the nature of this contact? (Muhammad Ishtiaq - VOA) Answer You may raise this question with the relevant authorities. Question We have seen media reports that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has expressed desire that Afghanistan be included in CPEC. Can you confirm this report? (Syed Mohsin Raza – Daily Asas) Answer I have seen media reports but can't confirm. I need to check this. CPEC has apparently evinced interest from some countries being an economic development initiative, through enhancing regional connectivity and bringing prosperity to our people. Question According to media reports, White House rejected an Indian backed petition to declare Pakistan a terrorist state by terming it "unacceptable". Your comments. Secondly, USA has been soft on India. Despite horrific human right violations in IoK, which took lives of over 100, merciless blinding of several hundreds, Indian admission of violation of LoC and risking of entire region's peace with irresponsible war hysteria created, the US has been a silent spectator. Is it not a regrettable consideration of economic and strategic expediency over moral obligations? (Essa Naqvi - Dunya TV) Answer We understand that such moves are based on the views and personal motives of individuals. In this particular case, it was a malicious move by some members of the Indian-American community, and does not in any way reflect the policy or views of either the U.S. Administration or the Congress. Obviously, the White House saw through the real motivation behind this move and acted rightly in rejecting the petition. As to your second question, Pakistan has been urging the international community, including the United States, to take note of the inhuman and degrading treatment being meted out to innocent civilians including the women, children, elderly and patients, in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. In this regard, our Ambassador in Washington, Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani, met Ambassador Richard Olson, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the State Department and handed over a dossier containing information on the gross human rights violations by the Indian security forces in the IOK. You are aware that visits by the Prime Minister's Special Envoys on Kashmir are also being undertaken to various countries, including the U.S., to sensitize their governments on the gross human rights violations committed by the Indian security forces. Question A Dawn Newspaper's motivated news item for Pakistan to act against militants or face isolation seems to have jubilated Indians as it tows the Indian line. Your comments please! (Amjad Ali - PTV News) Answer The story you are referring to is purely speculative and as the author himself acknowledged that "none of the attributed statements were confirmed by the individuals mentioned." Such speculative stories on matters of national security are not helpful for national causes. Question India has recently turned sports into war zone by disinviting Pakistan team in the Kabbadi World Cup, Badminton Association of India and Indian Motion Pictures. How does this reflect on India's self-proclaimed notions of being largest democracy and secular state? (Tariq Mahmood - SAMAA) Answer We are disappointed to see such an approach which reflects the level of anti-Pakistan rhetoric in India. We have also noted some saner voices in India rejecting the Hindutva extremist mindset, who are being persecuted, which is highly deplorable. Question We have seen India's gross human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir. Recently, Indian occupation forces have imposed ban on Ashura processions in Kashmir, as it restricted Kashmiris from offering Eid prayers earlier on. Is Pakistan planning to take up this particular aspect of religious intolerance of Indian occupation forces to the International World? (Asghar Ali Mubarak - Daily Mail Islamabad) Answer We have taken up all aspects of India's blatant human rights violations in IoK with the world community. The state of affairs in IoK is gruesome and deplorable not only for the outside world, but India's own member of Parliament have resigned in protest against Indian atrocities on innocent Kashmiris and for denying them offering of Friday prayers for the last 12 or 13 weeks. Question My question pertains to the recent Pakistan-India clashes on LoC, and relates to many families in Azad Jammu & Kashmir that have been displaced due to ongoing clashes between the two sides. What efforts are Pakistan making to compensate these families? Secondly, what is Pakistan government doing to redress concerns of those Pakistanis that have left Saudi Arabia without salaries as a consequence of being laid off by Saudi private firms? (Abid Khursheed - ATV) Answer I would respond to your second question first. I have already given a detailed account of the government of Pakistan and its functionaries in meting out fair and equitable treatment to affected Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia. Here let me briefly mention those points again: Pakistanis have returned after filing their claims/petitions and preparation of attorneys in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Government/Labour Ministry has established special desks in various camps where Pakistanis are residing, to help file the claims and preparing attorneys. Not a single Pakistani, who was overstaying or whose visa had expired who were in that situation was arrested as assured by the Saudi Government. Those who returned, their travelling expenses were borne by the Saudi government. Those with valid visas were allowed to change their employers if they could find jobs elsewhere, as assured by the Saudi Government. With regard to your first question, first of all, please note that not even on a single occasion has Pakistan violated ceasefire agreement on the LoC. Secondly, for the safety and protection of the Kashmiris residing in the vicinity of LoC please check with the relevant authorities. Question I think a similar question has been asked before. I want to know how many countries have expressed their interests in joining CPEC. (Kauser Lodhi - Prime News) Answer Please check with Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms for details. Question Foreign Office has issued a statement about JASTA yesterday. Could you give us a background of why this press release was issued? (Shahid-ur-Rehman - Kyodo Japanese News Agency) Answer I think the press release we issued carried all the details of the matter. We have said that Pakistan is concerned about adoption of domestic law, which has extra territorial application targeting certain countries. Other countries have also expressed concerns on this law. Question We have seen the Kashmir crisis spiraling down into a grave humanitarian crisis recently, with an acute shortage of food, medical facilities and provision of basic amenities to the Kashmiris. How does Pakistan see this developing humanitarian situation in IoK? Secondly, what is Pakistan's stance on JASTA, which has been adopted despite Obama's veto? (Anwar Abbas - Waqat News) Answer To your second question, I have already responded. For the first part of your question, we have deplored/condemned/raised the humanitarian aspect of Kashmir crisis time and again. You see, it is not about numbers. Since 1989 more than 100,000 innocent Kashmiris have been brutally killed, and thousand more disappeared. This, on top of scores, who have been maimed, blinded or severely injured for life. The staggering accounts of heightened atrocities by Indian occupation forces have already led to a dire humanitarian crisis in IoK. I have already said it before that unless the world community acts now, the whole episode will lead to a human catastrophe of huge proportions. Question The opposition has criticized the Government for not raising the Kashmir issue appropriately in the international arena. Your comment please. (Tariq Sial - Daily Times) Answer As far as I know, the entire country and the whole spectrum of political parties are unified on the issue of Kashmir. We have always stood in unison with our Kashmir brethren in their movement for right to self-determination with political, moral and diplomatic support. Question India has blatantly violated the Indus Water Treaty by threatening to restrict waters in Pakistan. Reportedly, China has blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet for a hydro-electric project that can severely impact water flows in India. What message does it give to India, and how do you analyze the timing of China's decision? (Salman Rao - TNN) Answer We have seen the media reports. You may like to approach the government of China to ascertain the details. On your question about Indus Water Treaty, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is not time barred and was never intended to be time or event specific. It is binding on both India and Pakistan and has no exit provision. The international community should take notice of Indian claims that are indeed a violation of India’s obligations and commitments under the Treaty. According the sub-provisions (3) and (4) of the Article XII of the IWT, the Treaty cannot be altered or revoked unilaterally. Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and would respond accordingly. Question Yesterday, we heard that Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jeelani handed over a dossier on Indian atrocities in Kashmir to US Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson. Has Pakistan handed over any dossier of India's state sponsored terrorism in Pakistan to him also? Secondly, do you see a meeting between India and Pakistan's National Security Advisers in the future? (Shahid Maitla - ARY News) Answer For your second question, I have already responded before. On your first question, we have already taken up this issue of India's terror financing in Pakistan at all relevant forums. We submitted a dossier last year at the UN and also raised this matter in our meetings with P-5 members as well as bilateral meetings with various countries. We will hand over the relevant evidence when the time is propitious. Question To what extent has Pakistan succeeded in its efforts to galvanize support for the cause of Kashmir in the international community? (Inam Khatak - Dawn News) Answer This is an ongoing effort. We have always taken up the issue of Kashmir at all bilateral and international forums. Moreover, there have been several conferences, events and peaceful processions all over the world to sensitize international community and human rights organizations of the plight of Kashmiris. These events have been organized by the Member Parliaments of those regions, civil society members, Pakistani and Kashmiri Diaspora in North America, Europe, Nordic States, and the UK. Yesterday, at the Party Conference in UK, these people effectively highlighted the atrocities perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces on the innocent Kashmiris in IoK. We are highlighting the issue of Kashmir at every forum and urged UN and other relevant world bodies, as well as the international community, to take urgent steps and intervene to stop the Kashmiris' bloodshed by India.