(2016-10-14) Opening Remarks Bismillah IrRehman NirRahim Assalaam Alaikum The country solemnly and peacefully observed Ashura - a Day of Remembrance of great sacrifice, patience and submission before the Will of the Creator Almighty Allah. We have kept the Media constantly informed about the activities of the Prime Minister's Special Envoys on Kashmir. The Envoys Mr. Muhammad Pervez Malik and Mr. Mohsin Shah Nawaz Ranjha paid a highly successful visit to Turkey where they met the Turkish Prime Minister. They apprised the Turkish political and parliamentary leadership, media, members of civil society, academics, think-tanks and youth representatives of the gross and systematic violations of human rights being perpetrated by the security forces in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOK). Turkey, a staunch supporter of Pakistan on Kashmir issue, reaffirmed its commitment. Turkey is part of OIC's Contact Group on Kashmir. Senator Mushahid Hussain and Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali, MNA, visited the US where they handed over a dossier to the President of UN General Assembly, Mr. Peter Thomson, concerning human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Visit helped register plight of Kahmiris in IoK by the Indian occupation forces and grave danger that Indian war hysteria posed to peace and security in the region. They also met the US political and parliamentary leaders. Pakistan's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Syed Ibne Abbas, handed over dossier on human rights violations in IOK to the UK's Special Rep on Afghanistan & Pakistan Mr. Owen Jenkins. It has been more than 3 months that Indian brutalities on defenceless Kashmiris in IoK, continues. Casualties, number of pellet guns victims and injured keep rising. Denying prayers for consecutive 17th Friday, media blackout, continuing curfew, worsening food shortage and disappearances of thousands after they were taken into custody by the Indian occupation forces with their fate unknown are condemnable acts and matters of serious concern to Pakistan. Kashmiri children, worst victims of Indian brutalities, are bewildered and anxiously waiting for the UN and International Community's intervention to stop the bloodshed by India. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs led Pakistan's delegation to the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Summit in Bangkok on 10th Oct. The ACD is a forum of 34 Asian countries. Pakistan is one of the founding members. At the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is on an official visit to the Azerbaijan Republic from 13-15 October 2016. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation. Now the Floor is open for Questions Question Despite Pakistan's hectic efforts to highlight the Indian brutalities in IoK and sensitizing the international community on human rights violations there, what are the reasons that International human rights bodies have not been allowed into the blockade imposed by New Delhi on Indian occupied Kashmir? (Syed Mohsin Raza - Daily Asas) Answer Highlighting Kashmir issue, particularly the grave human rights situation, is part of Pakistan's ongoing efforts to raise the matter at all bilateral and international forums. The voice is reaching all corners of the world. The Parliamentarians, Human Rights Organizations, members of civil society Pakistani and Kashmir Diaspora are actively highlighting the plight of Kashmiris across Europe, the UK, North America and Nordic States. Also, Prime Minister's Envoys and as well as Pakistan's Ambassadors in those countries are reaching out to various segments of the respective societies. It would not be right to say that nobody has raised the voice. This is the reason why India is desperate and is making every effort to deflect the attention from the Indian occupied Kashmir. Manifestations of these efforts are visible in their false media campaigns and false surgical strikes claim and things like that. So, these are the reflections of the desperation of India and the pressure which is being built on India in the context of the brutalities it is committing in IoK. We have been asking international community's intervention in this regard and we will keep on asking this. That is not the all. More than merely stopping bloodshed in IoK, we urge that the Indian Government and Indian occupation forces be called to account for the brutalities, murder and butchering of hundreds of innocent Kashmiris, while thousands of them have been taken away and their fate is unknown. There has to be an independent inquiry for which OIC and UN are also insisting. Question Indian media has been constantly releasing false reports. For instance, AJK Kashmiris' rally to condemn Army Public School attack in Dec. 2014, which involved RAW-NDS-TTP nexus, was shown as a protest against terrorists in AJK, JUI (F)'s rally against PM Modi (whose effigy was burned) was shown as agitation of Baloch people against China for CPEC. Your comments please. (Fakhar ur Rehman - Turkish News Agency/ Such TV) Answer In this regard, first of all, I would like to place on record the good job done by our media. They have been instrumental in exposing the trail of lies of the Indian media. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, India media stood exposed and our media has been instrumental in showing the reality to the people in Pakistan and to the international community. Question When Pakistan says that Kashmir is the unfinished agenda of the partition and our Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives have been calling it so, what impedes the United Nations to play its role and implement its own Resolutions on Kashmir? (Shaukat Paracha - Aaj TV) Answer The Jammu & Kashmir is one of the oldest unresolved disputes on the agenda of the UN Security Council, which is awaiting implementation of relevant Security Council Resolutions. The people of Jammu & Kashmir were promised by the international community, specially the UN Security Council, that their wishes would be ascertained through a free, fair and impartial plebiscite, under the UN auspices. The Indian obstinacy and complete disrespect of international law is the main hurdle in the implementation of resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir. India is in constant and continuous violation of UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir and the UN Charter. Question Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar says that Indian government has no intention to provide proof for the surgical strike allegedly carried out by Indian Army across LoC. This statement when seen with announcement by Indian media that they would not talk on matters of national security, should leave no doubt that India lied about surgical strikes for domestic political reasons. Your comments please. Secondly, we have seen a story by Cyril Almeida. He has given impression that Foreign Secretary tried to impress upon the government that Pakistan has to face isolation if we don't act against extremists. Your comments please. (Shahid Maitla - ARY News) Answer Much has been said about India's claim of conducting surgical strikes, which now stand exposed as blatant lies from both from within India and from abroad. Pakistan has already rejected the baseless claims of surgical strikes. As we emphasized earlier, India is desperate to divert attention of the International Community from grave human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Indian media also stands exposed as its trail of lies have been compiled and made public by our media. We deeply appreciate the role played by our media, both in exposing the Indian media and highlighting the Kashmiris' plight in IOK. As to your second question, I have said that it was based on speculation and the author admitted in his news item that none of these statements, which he has quoted could be verified. The reality is that there is a growing national consensus to eliminate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. There is zero tolerance and we draw no distinction or discrimination. Question I just want to ask question that India is going to hold BRICS Summit over this weekend and they will again try to isolate Pakistan as they have been saying again and again. I just want to ask as Mushahid Hussain said in America that expanding SAARC could be a way for Pakistan to counter this isolation. Also whether this expansion means that the SAARC is no more, as the Summit was also cancelled? (Abid Hussain - BBC) Answer First of all, you must clear your perception about the definition of isolation. I have already said that Pakistan is very much engaged in world affairs. Number of multilateral events and high level visits are taking place in and out of Pakistan. Wherever our leadership goes they are very well received. More and more countries are engaging with Pakistan. Pakistan's strategic location is of immense importance. I give you examples of Russia and Iran's recent engagements with Pakistan. Therefore, to say that someone can isolate Pakistan by mere propaganda and nothing else. Now, coming to your question about what has been attributed to Senator Mushahid Hussain, you may recall what Adviser Sartaj Aziz elaborated on Pakistan's Foreign Policy achievements during a Press Briefing in June this year. Pakistan is uniquely placed to become a natural regional connectivity hub for economic activities and an energy corridor. By virtue of its strategic geopolitical existence at the confluence of South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia, the policy direction is to facilitate regional connectivity and bring prosperity to the region. Question According to media reports, India's NSA Ajit Doval recently met with representatives of Taliban and Daesh. What new development is unfolding in these meetings in your view? (Tariq Mehmood - Samaa TV) Answer I will not comment on media reports. However, statements of Mr. Ajit Doval and Mr. Manohar Parrikar on his intentions of using terrorists are already in public domain. Question Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley alleges that Pakistan is using terrorism and nuclear blackmail as instruments of its state policy. Your comments. Secondly, we have seen how India is systematically working towards creating situation in which minorities, particularly Muslims in India are subjected to such laws that bring about pivotal role in changing their demographics to that of staying a minority forever. What is Pakistan view this? (Khawaja Nayaar Iqbal - Kashmir Post) Answer While responding to your second question, I would like to invite your attention to the UN Special Rapporteur's Report of 2012, in which some of these issues have been highlighted. Since what you are mentioning relates to Muslims, I think it is for the entire Muslim Community across the globe to take note of it. To your first question, the reality on ground is completely different. It is India that indulges in state terrorism in IOK with its 700,000 occupation forces terrorizing Kashmiris and committing crimes against humanity with impunity. As against Indian baseless accusations, Pakistan has solid proofs of Indian involvement in perpetrating terrorism in Pakistan and terror financing. Pakistan's nuclear deterrence is in reaction to the Indian aggressive designs against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. While Indian aggressive policies and massive arms build-up are destabilizing factors, Pakistan's policies ensure regional and global peace and stability. Question Recently, UN has nominated its new Secretary General. What hopes has Pakistan pinned on the appointment of the new Secretary General, particularly when we have not seen any forthcoming response from the office of UN Secretary General on the issue of Kashmir previously? (Tariq Sial - Daily Times) Supplementary Question Some media analysts have objected that had Kashmir been raised under article 7 of the UN Charter instead of Article 6, the issue of Kashmir would have become more relevant and pertinent. Do you think this is a diplomatic lapse on the part of our officials? Secondly, although Pakistan is considered home to freedom of press and media, there has been international criticism on putting a journalist name on ECL recently. Your comments. (Abid Khursheed - ATV) Answer As to your second question, you may contact the concerned Ministry. Let me assure you that irrespective of whatsoever speculations are made in the media, all major stakeholders in Pakistan are unanimous and fully resolved in eradicating the menace of terrorism from Pakistan. There is no two opinions on it. As to your first question, even after the passage of 70 years, the issue of Kashmir is still valid and active on UN Security Council agenda. It was India in fact, which took the matter to the UN. As a consequence of years long negotiations, UN passed many resolutions for a fair and impartial decision of the fate of Kashmiri people. I would like to refer to the compilation of UNCIP parleys in their 3 interim reports. I suggest you all to read them. Pakistan has a principled position on Kashmir. Regardless of who is at the helm of affairs, Kashmir has and will continue to be a matter of national objective and priority for Pakistan. We will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the cause of Kashmir until its resolution and standby Kashmiri people in highlighting the gross atrocities and human rights violations committed by the Indian occupation forces. We have carried all out efforts to highlight the issue of Kashmir at every national and international forum for (a) exposing the sufferings of helpless Kashmiris, and (b) emphasizing that the resolution of Kashmir issue, which is crucial for the peace and stability in the region. Question India talks of non-state actors within Pakistan. However, in the case of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack, it was India's non-states actors that were involved in perpetrating this heinous crime. Has India shared any evidence with Pakistan on Samjhauta Express incident and how does Pakistan wish to go about this issue with them? (Fayyaz Raja - Channel 92)) Supplementary Question Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India will seal the border with Pakistan completely by December 2018. How does Pakistan see this decision by India, and how will it impact on the prospects of bilateral dialogue? (Muhammad Ishtiaq - VOA) Answer On second question, India has not formally conveyed any such plan to Pakistan. We don't have the details. On the one hand, they talk of establishing peaceful neighbourhood, and on the other hand their actions contradict their claims. Regarding the question on Samjhauta Express incident, despite India's commitment at the highest political level, they have not shared any evidence to date on the incident. As the time passes by, they have even exonerating those whose public confessed of their involvement in the terrorist attack on Samjhauta Express in Feb 2007, which is on record. The world knows that perpetrators of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack, which killed mostly Pakistanis, was carried out by RSS and Abhinav Bharat's operatives, the terrorist Hindu outfits that work in tandem with IB, RAW and other intelligence agencies of India. Pakistan has and will continue to raise the issue of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack not only bilaterally with India, but also in our bilateral interactions with other countries.