(2014-07-10) [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 open for Questions Question Just a couple of hours ago, a US drone has again fired several missiles at an area near Miranshah. So, what is your reaction on it and do you think these drone attacks are in line with the operation in North Waziristan? Answer I have also seen the media reports about the drone strike but have no confirmation as yet about the veracity of these reports. Our position on drone strikes is very clear. We have condemned these attacks. We have made it clear that these attacks are unacceptable, they violate Pakistan’s sovereignty. At the international level, we have been very active and have succeeded in creating a strong public opinion against drone strikes which violate the international law. In the specific context, we have said that drone strikes would complicate our efforts to eliminate terrorists. Question As they say honeymoon period for the Modi government is over. We have certain critical issues to be settled with India and some of the issues are life and death issues for Pakistan such as issues like Kashmir, Sir Creek, Siachin and on top of that water issues with India. Are you satisfied with the progress of winning hearts between Islamabad and New Delhi in creating space for solution of outstanding issues? Answer You would recall that the Prime Minister accepted the Indian Prime Minister’s invitation to attend his inaugural ceremony. On that occasion, the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India met. They directed the two Foreign Secretaries to meet and look at how the process of dialogue is to be taken forward. That meeting would take place in not very distant future, though I cannot give you the exact date. That meeting would give indication where this process is headed. So we won’t like to pass a judgment right now. Question It has been reported the last week that Muslims in the Chinese province of Xinxiang have been stopped from observing fast during the month of Ramadan and they have been told that fasting is harmful. What is Pakistan’s reaction on that? Secondly, there are about three hundred Pakistani prisoners in China but they are living in shambles; they have not been offered water for several hours and Halal food. What are your views on that? Answer At think in the last briefing, I gave you the details of Pakistanis in Chinese Jails and the nature of crimes for which they have been convicted or are under-trial. I don’t know what is your source of information? But this does not seem to be factually correct because this is not the information we get from our Mission. As for your second question, these are rumors. It is factually incorrect. The Chinese have clarified that there is no such ban on fasting and that they respect the freedom of religion. They have clarified that they have guidelines in their system under which religious activities should not interfere with state functions. Question Whether the Government of Pakistan has requested the international community for assistance to the IDPs? Second question is, one international block that is western block which is engaged in Afghanistan, they have their perspective on North Waziristan operation. Has there been any communication with other block particularly Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members like Russia and China? Is there any communication with them on this operation? Answer There is no specific communication about the operation in North Waziristan, which is our internal matter. But we have regular contacts and conversations with Beijing and Moscow. You know that with Beijing, our interactions have been multi-dimensional and with Moscow also our interaction is increasing. We have seen only positive reaction to Pakistan’s very focused and comprehensive operation to eliminate terrorism. As for your first question, the answer is No. Pakistan has neither made nor intends to make a request for international assistance. It has been made very clear that all expenditure related to temporarily displaced Pakistanis will be met from our own resources. Question Yesterday, the Modi government has asked the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to vacate the official building which it has occupied for 40 years. So you don’t think that it is a clear message to Military Observer Group that Kashmir issue has been solved and Pakistan Government should accept this division of Kashmir, particularly when seen together with the efforts to remove Article 370? What are your views on Modi government’s decision of asking UNMOGIP to vacate their official building? Answer At the last briefing, we responded to questions related to Article 370. It was stated that we don’t accept Kashmir’s so called accession to India. As regards the UNMOGIP, I won’t look at it in this sense. Asking the UN Observers to move out of a building or payment of rent is inconsequential in the context of the status of Jammu & Kashmir. There is a reason why UNMOGIP is present in the first place. Asking them to move out of the building does not abolish the mandate which was given by the UN Security Council in 1951 under Resolution 91. As long as the Kashmir dispute is not resolved, the UNSC mandate remains. These measures are inconsequential and they do not have any impact on the legal status of the dispute. Question Yesterday Foreign Office issued a statement on Israeli’s brutalities against innocent Palestinians. Is any serious initiative is been taken at OIC or any other forum as Pakistan is very active member of OIC and several other forums? Is there any diplomatic initiative to stop Israel from carrying such strikes against Palestinians? Answer At the moment, we are not aware of any OIC initiative[1]. You must have seen the statement we issued yesterday and there was also a very comprehensive statement by the Prime Minister. We strongly condemn the violence and brutality perpetrated by Israel in Gaza. Israel’s unilateral, disproportionate and indiscriminate strikes in the occupied territories are killing innocent Palestinians. We call upon the International Community to intercede to stop the genocide of Palestinians by Israel. At this difficult time we stand by Palestinians. We support the two state solution, paving the way for a viable, geographically contiguous Palestinian state, created on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Question You have said that Pakistan has neither asked nor intends to ask for International assistance but given the past catastrophes in Pakistan, be it 2005 earthquake or floods of 2010 or even in case of Swat operation FODP was the platform for foreign assistance. Why this time we are not asking or receiving any assistance from International community? Answer In 2005, we indicated to the United Nations that we require assistance first in rescue and then in relief operations. On the basis of that, OCHA launched an appeal. That’s how UN agencies and International community got involved. I don’t think any appeal was launched for assistance in 2010 floods. These are essentially law enforcement operations and as a nation we have to deal with the fall out of these operations. People in Swat have been settled back. Hopefully, after the operation is over, the people who had to leave their homes in North Waziristan will also go back. Our own resources will be mobilized to settle them and to restore their normal life. We have very clear instructions from the Prime Minister that we will not seek outside assistance. Question Any update on North Waziristan residents who have sought refuge in Afghanistan regarding their condition and whether Foreign Office of Pakistan has made any contact with Kabul Government for their repatriation to Pakistan? Answer We don’t have the exact numbers. This we said last time also. Many of those who crossed over went to stay with their families. We have received information that as more and more area is being cleared these families have started to return. There are reports that already about 14000 people have come back. Question You have already issued a statement on Afghanistan yesterday but my question is what role Pakistan can play in the smooth transfer of power in the present circumstances? Answer Smooth transfer of power in Afghanistan is something which Afghans have to do themselves. I have nothing more to add to what we said yesterday. ****************** [1] As per the latest information, the OIC Foreign Ministers Troika (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Guinea) on Palestine is meeting today in Jeddah in an emergency meeting to consider the Israeli aggression against Palestine.