(2015-09-10) The Floor is open for Questions Question Just now the Afghan Ambassador was here in the Foreign Ministry. Can you please tell us about the agenda of his meeting? Secondly, can you please tell us about the steps being taken by Pakistan against Haqqani Network? (Muddasir Hussain- Khyber News) Answer Visit of an Ambassador to the Foreign Office does not indicate anything unusual. Diplomats frequently visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for various purposes. As to your second question, we have said a number of times that under operation Zarb-e-Azb Pakistan has taken action against all groups. As far as Pakistan is concerned, there are no good or bad terrorists. Question I need your reaction on the comment made by the Afghan Ambassador while addressing a seminar yesterday where he said that TTP has joined Daesh in Afghanistan and it is a new emerging threat for both Afghanistan and Pakistan which needs a collective effort to combat. What are your comments? How Pakistan assesses the latest security situation? Do you think that threat coming from Daesh in Afghanistan is very serious? Secondly, there were reports yesterday in the media that Major Gen. (Rt.) Athar Abbas is being appointed as Pakistan's High Commissioner to the UK. Is the current High Commissioner being replaced and where exactly is Major Gen. (Rt.) Athar Abbas being appointed? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer It is not for me to comment on what is happening in Afghanistan. Ambassador of Afghanistan is the right person to comment on that. However, as you are aware, Pakistan has been cooperating with Afghanistan on matters related to counter-terrorism. We think that terrorism is our common enemy and a cooperative approach is required to deal with this menace. Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We have said on a number of occasions that there is no footprint of Daesh in Pakistan. However, we are cognizant of the threat it poses and have alerted our security agencies accordingly As to your second question, media reports about appointment of a new High Commissioner to UK are factually incorrect and baseless. Our High Commissioner to the UK is not being transferred from London. In response to the second part of your question, let me clarify that, as a matter of policy, we do not discuss appointment of anyone as Ambassador before his Agrement is received from the concerned country. Question I would like to know your response to the recent attacks by former Afghan President Mr. Hamid Karzai while addressing a seminar in Kabul where he once again picked the issue of Durand Line. He called upon all the Afghans to call it Durand Line, not border. He said that it was an unfinished agenda item from 1947 onwards as Afghanistan had not recognized it as border. How do you respond to it? (Zarghoon Shah- Geo TV) Answer I will not comment on the views of an individual. The issue of border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has already been settled. Question Pakistan Rangers and Indian BSF are meeting in New Delhi today. Does Pakistan expect that India would return to the table for NSA talks to discuss all issues that need to be resolved, including Kashmir? (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal- Kashmir Post) Answer Pakistan's position regarding the talks is very clear. As it was recently reiterated by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan is ready for talks without pre-conditions and there will be no talks if Kashmir is not included. Question High-level consultations have been taking place regarding the reforms and monitoring of Madrassas as part of the National Action Plan. One of the issues that the Interior Minister highlighted was foreign funding. Just wanted to check whether the Foreign Ministry has consulted different countries on this matter? (Qasim Nauman- Wall Street Journal) Answer You may kindly ask this question to the Ministry of Interior. Question Afghan President Mr. Ashraf Ghani assured the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, during his recent visit to Kabul that necessary measures will be taken for security of Pakistan Embassy and its personnel in Kabul. Have they taken any measures in that regard? (Amjad Ali- PTV News) Answer Question What is the stance of the Foreign Ministry on the murder of Pakistani journalists/media persons in Pakistan? (Syed Musharraf Kazmi- Daily Times) Answer We sympathize with the media fraternity and are saddened at such incidents. We want to offer our condolences to the bereaved families. As you are aware, efforts are being made under the National Action Plan to improve the law and order situation. I wish to underscore that media is playing an important and appreciable role in highlighting the internal and external policies of Pakistan. Question Can you please update us about the status of agreement signed between ISI and NDS? (Ali Hussain- Business Recorder) Answer The purpose of the MoU signed between ISI and NDS was to have better coordination between the two security agencies for dealing with security threats faced by the two countries. However, it is for the Afghan Government to decide whether it wants to proceed under the MoU or not. Question There have been reports about the US State Department's leaks that former President Musharraf was going to barter Kashmir in 2000-02. If this report is true, what was the Foreign Ministry doing then? How could it have been done in the presence of UN Resolutions and against the wishes of Kashmiri people? (Shahid Rana- ARY TV) Answer I will not comment on media reports. Pakistan's position on Kashmir dispute is very clear. It is internationally recognized as disputed territory. The dispute needs to be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions on the issue and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. Question China State media reported yesterday that Pakistan has leased out a piece of land to China in Gwadar. Can you please elaborate on this? What will be the impact of leasing out land in the Northern part of Pakistan? (Gohar Abbasi - AFP) Answer As you aware, many projects are being implemented as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. We have repeatedly said that these projects would not only benefit the peoples of the two countries but also the entire region. I do not have details of the lease that you have mentioned. Question Yesterday's meeting of the National Command Authority discussed Pakistan's policy on maintaining full spectrum deterrence capability. Can you please elaborate on this? (Naveed Akbar) Answer The statement issued after the NCA meeting is self-explanatory. I cannot add anything to it. Question Can you please tell us about the steps being taken by Pakistan to secure release of Pakistani fishermen in Indian jails? (Ammad-Online) Answer India and Pakistan have discussed this issue several times in the past. Also, fishermen have been released by both sides on several occasions in the past on humanitarian grounds. Question Right after the cancellation of NSA level talks between India and Pakistan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs had said in his press conference here that he is going to hand over three dossiers relating to Indian intelligence agency RAW's involvement in Pakistan to the Indian NSA during his visit to New York. Are the two NSAs going to meet in New York? (Essa Naqvi- Dunya TV) Answer No such proposal is on the table.