(2014-06-12) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] Opening Remarks Pakistan Extends Full Support to Elections in Afghanistan Can be accessed on the Ministry’s website. (www.mofa.gov.pk) Last week, I was asked about a prisoner in Amritsar jail, Abdul Sharif. There was some implied criticism that Pakistan is not taking adequate measures to get his release. As I promised I have got the details. Abdul Sharif or Abdul Sakhi are the two names by which he introduces himself. We don’t know exactly what the real name is because he is a mentally challenged person. This is posing a difficulty in determining his nationality. We have had consular access to him but there have been some problems because he cannot give us his address in Pakistan. In various consular meetings, he has introduced himself as a Pakistani national from Baluchistan and then at other times, as an Iranian. Our consular officials are in touch with jail authorities. While he has completed his sentence, he is presently in India because there has not been a decision regarding his release or return. Now the floor is open for Questions Question Yesterday, after six month, there was a US drone attack, in fact two attacks in North Waziristan. What is Pakistan’s official position on these attacks? Supplementary Question What is Pakistan’s official position on any such drone attack at present or in the past? Answer The supplementary question first. Our position is very clear. If you want to refresh your memory, kindly access our website to see our past statements on this subjects and the resolutions that we have sponsored. As regards reports of drone attack or attacks, we still don’t have the factual position. We are ascertaining facts. Question My question is regarding the Karachi attack .After initial investigations, it was found that most of the attackers were of Tajik and Uzbek descent. I understand that the Prime Minister is going to Tajikistan in near future. Will the government of Pakistan take up the matter of the presence of Tajik nationals in Pakistan and their subversive activities? Secondly, DG Rangers in a statement has said that Massive amount of Indian weapons were found to be used in Karachi attack. We are also expecting Foreign Secretary level dialogue between Pakistan and India. Do you think Pakistan will be constrained to take up this matter with the Indian authorities? Answer You know the background of the presence of foreigners in Pakistani tribal areas. It goes back to 30 years and they still move to and fro. Obviously, terrorism is posing threat to all the countries. This is a menace which harms our people and our interests. This is a subject that is discussed when leaders meet. As for your second question, well, investigations are underway and we are not in the habit of making allegations without proper investigations. Terrorism is an issue that Pakistan and India discuss in their official interactions. Question According to reports in the Indian media, there is no possibility of Foreign Secretary level talks between Pakistan and India in the near future. Your comments please? Secondly, the Interior Minister has said in a statement that weapons found in Karachi were from India. If investigations are still underway how can the Interior Minister make this statement? Answer First of all, it is improper of you to come here and ask me to comment on the statement of a Federal Minister. I didn’t comment on the source of the weapons used in the Karachi attack what I said was that the matter is being investigated. When we have the results of the investigations, we will proceed from there. As for your first question, I have not seen any such reports. About the resumption of Pakistan-India dialogue, the two countries are in contact. Question I saw a report yesterday, claiming that the visit of the President of Maldives to Pakistan originally scheduled from 11th to 14th of June has been cancelled. Is it because of the Karachi attack? Answer Well, the visit of the President of Maldives has been under consideration. Some dates were proposed but they were not convenient. The visit will be rescheduled at mutually acceptable dates. Question Currently Pakistan’s foreign policy priority is “Peace for development”. You have also expressed your full support for the elections in Afghanistan but we have seen that in the last one week, Pakistan had to summon the Afghan envoy twice to the Foreign Office. In this context, don’t you think that this priority of our foreign policy has become a challenge for us? Answer Yes, there are challenges. There is a particular situation in our region. And we are dealing with these challenges. Question You rightly pointed out that the presence of foreign militants in Pakistan is not new. It has been witnessed for thirty years. Has Pakistan ever raised this issue with the Afghan authorities or the authorities that are now in control of Afghanistan? Answer These issues are discussed on regular basis. Question The US Congress has linked the US aid for Pakistan to military operations by Pakistani authorities in the tribal areas. What are your comments? Secondly, there are reports that Pakistan is negotiating with Russian authorities the purchase of MI-35 helicopters. Can you confirm? Answer About the first question, well, we are in touch with the US Administration to discuss this and many other related issues. On the second question, you know that the Russian Ambassador interacted with the media recently and clarified many things. There were media reports that the Russian Federation has lifted the embargo on sale of arms to Pakistan but he clarified that there was never any embargo. There are some procurements, under discussions, in the context of our fight against terrorism. Question Was the government of Pakistan approached by the US or the Taliban to play a role in the prisoners’ swap that led to the release of Sergeant Bergdahl? Answer I am not aware of any specific role. Question Can you update us on the status of the provision of Pakistani ID card and passport to Mr. Altaf Hussain? Secondly, what is your response to a statement by one MQM leader that Pakistan and UK should engage on state to state level on Mr. Altaf Hussain case? Answer I don’t comment on statements by political leaders. As regards your other question, I would refer you to a statement by the Interior Ministry that our High Commission’s consular services have been authorized to process the NICOP and passport for Mr. Altaf Hussain. You are aware that it requires some procedures to be completed. When that is done, the case will be processed as directed by the government. Question Can you update us on the status of the abducted Chinese national? Is there a possibility of exchange of prisoners with Taliban to secure the release of the Chinese national? Answer I am not aware of any possibility of prisoner swap. We have said from this forum that we condemn this kidnapping. The government of Punjab has formed two or three teams to investigate this matter. It is our priority that the Chinese national is recovered safe and sound and at the earliest Question Can you tell us the exact number of Pakistani prisoners in Chinese jails? Answer I will have to check and get back to you ****************