(2015-06-12) [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 The Ministry has just concluded Envoys Conference in Islamabad which was considered a brain storming session. What is the future course of action regarding the fresh tensions between Pakistan and India? Answer The Envoys Conference was held for three days, with Envoys from SAARC and ECO region. We had in-depth discussion on various issues that need attention. The theme of the Conference was connectivity and economic development. Pakistan attaches importance to connectivity as it is the engine of growth and development. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor projects will also help improve connectivity. We have several projects with central Asian countries such as CASA 1000 project with Tajikistan, under which we will be importing 1000 Megawatts of electricity. We also have a gas pipeline project from Turkmenistan. With regard to your specific question, the Envoys also discussed our bilateral relations with various countries including India. As you are aware, over the past few days, several statements have been made from the Indian side at various levels. Pakistan had responded to these statements. However, let me reiterate that Pakistan is committed to Prime Minister's vision of a peaceful neighborhood and wishes to enhance relations with all neighboring countries. Question The nation wants to know, in categorical terms, whether we are taking up the issue of India's open and brazen admission of interfering in our internal affairs, sponsoring state terrorism and causing the split of Pakistan in 1971, with the UN, EU, International Criminal Court (ICC), OIC and other international fora. (Zarghoon Shah- Geo News) Answer You would recall that during my last briefing, in response to a similar question, I had said that Pakistan would take all necessary steps to protect its national interest. I would also like to draw your attention to the last paragraph of the statement made by Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs in the Senate on 10th June 2015, which states that Pakistan would take all possible steps at the diplomatic level to protect its national interest. He said this in the context of recent statements, including those given at the highest level in India. Question In the last couple of months, several meetings were reported between the Foreign Ministry, Economic Affairs Division and the Interior Ministry on the status of foreign NGOs in Pakistan. Last night, Save the Children's offices were sealed on the orders of the Government. Could you please shed some light on the rationale behind this order? (Qasim Nauman-Wall Street Journal). Question There are some reports in the media that apparently the action against Save the Children is linked to the Osama Bin Laden hunt. Would you comment on that? (Kamran Haider- Bloomberg) Question There was concrete action taken against Save the Children. Would you confirm or deny whether Save the Children offices have been closed or not? If yes, what are the reasons? (Syed Mohsin Raza- Such TV) Answer We have issued a detailed statement on the INGOs. I would draw your attention to this statement which is available on the Ministry's website. Questions regarding Save the Children may be asked to the Ministry of Interior. I will not comment on a decision taken by the Government. Government's decisions are always well- considered. Question Recently, strong worded statements have been emanating from the Indian Government against Pakistan. What is the stance of the Government of Pakistan on this? My second question pertains to persecution of Muslims in Myanmar and Pakistan's position on this? (Syed Musharraf Kazmi- Daily Group of Newspaper) Answer We have already issued press statements on both these issues, which are available on the Ministry's website. You may like to refer to them. Question It was reported in the media that the Afghan President had asked the Government of Pakistan through a non-paper to hand over some of the Taliban leaders to Kabul. Is it true? If yes, has the process been initiated? How many Taliban leaders are in the custody of the Government of Pakistan? Also, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have gotten worse since President Ghani's previous visit to Pakistan. What are your comments about it? (Syed Mohsin Raza- Such TV) Answer I am not aware of any non-paper. Pakistan has brotherly, cordial, cooperative and positive relationship with Afghanistan. I would like to draw your attention to the press statement made by the Prime Minister during his visit to Kabul recently, in which three principles governing Pakistan-Afghanistan relations were stated. Let me read them out for you: (i) We will strictly adhere to the policy of non-interference; (ii) We will not allow our respective territories to be used against the other; and (iii) Afghanistan's enemies will be treated as Pakistan's enemies and Pakistan's enemies will be treated as Afghanistan's enemies. These principles were reiterated during the Prime Minister's address to the concluding session of the Envoys Conference on 11 June 2015. Question My question relates to Save the Children. While you have directed us to the Ministry of Interior, there is a Foreign Office component in this issue as certain officials of Save the Children have been given a time limit to leave the country. Secondly, it has been reported that the Afghan side has denied the ISI-NDS MoU. Does it or does it not exist? (Wajahat Khan- NBC News) Answer I have already responded to your first question. As to your second question, our relations with Afghanistan also include cooperation on counter-terrorism. Both the countries believe that peace and security in the region is important for economic development. Both countries are against terrorism and remain committed to fight this menace and have agreed to take coordinated action against terrorists. Question My question is regarding Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Recently, Afghan President has said that Pakistan is involved in an unannounced war against Afghanistan and the Afghan Government has to talk to Pakistan to settle matters before talking to the Taliban. Your comments please. (Riaz- Mashal Radio) Answer I have already said that Pakistan is committed to its relations with Afghanistan. We are supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Question Early last week, the 6th working Group on Education, Science and Technology and People to People Exchanges was formed between Pakistan and US. Can you confirm whether the government of Pakistan requested for the formation of this 6th Working Group between the two countries? Do you think a separate Working Group on these areas was required and how it will further the work already done in these areas? (Waqas Rafique- Capital TV) Answer: The Working Group is part of the Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue Process. It was formed in January 2015 at Pakistan's initiative. Its first meeting was held on 3 June in Islamabad. The purpose is to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and science and technology. Question European Union (EU) has expressed its concerns over death penalty in Pakistan. What is the stance of Pakistan on this issue? (Khawaja Nayyaar Iqbal-Kashmir Post) Answer Pakistan is not violating any international law. Pakistan is a member of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Article 6 of the ICCPR states that every human being has inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life. Clause 2 of the same article says that in countries which have not abolished the death penalty, a sentence of death may be imposed only for the most serious crimes in accordance with the law in force at the time of commission of the crime. Our Constitution and legal system contain death penalty, and it is within the parameters of the international law. It is the responsibility of the State to protect the life of its citizens and we are doing that. Question Last year in March, a Chinese tourist was kidnapped in Dera Ismail Khan who was cycling in the area and was heading towards Zhob. A group calling itself Jaish-Al-Hadeed has claimed the abduction of this Chinese tourist. Can you elaborate what concrete measures Government of Pakistan has taken for his release? (Zarghoon shah- Geo TV) Answer Our concerned agencies are dealing with this matter. Question Chinese State Minister for Security was here last week. He held meetings with military authorities as well. Can you share if he had any meeting with the senior Foreign Office officials and what was the purpose of his visit to Pakistan? A brief statement was issued by ISPR that issues related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor were discussed. Do you think there are certain threats to the CPEC? If there are, what type of threats and what is your strategy to tackle them? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer Owing to the close nature of Pakistan-China relations, we have interaction at various levels throughout the year. How others look at China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects is up to them. However, we do not foresee any problems in their implementation, as both sides have a commitment to the Economic Corridor and its projects, which are very important for connectivity and Pakistan's development and will benefit the entire region. The Chinese side has also made statements to this effect. Question Pakistan would host the SAARC Summit in 2016. In September, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi might meet during the UN General Assembly Session. If the fresh wave of tension between Pakistan and India persists, what course of action will Pakistan suggest for defusing this tension? (Mohsin Raza- Such Tv) Answer We are pursuing a policy of good neighbourly relations. There are serious issues between the two countries that need to be resolved through dialogue, which has been unilaterally suspended by India. As far as Pakistan is concerned, we are committed to the dialogue process and to the peaceful resolution of all disputes, but that needs to be reciprocated by the other side. Question Back to the Chinese workers’ security, at what levels are security measures being discussed and is the Chinese side also advising Pakistan on how it is to be done? (Kamran Haider- Bloomberg) Answer In our meetings, we discuss all issues that are considered important by both sides and security of Chinese personnel in Pakistan is one of them.