(2015-05-14) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.] Opening Remarks During the last briefing, a question was asked as to whether meeting of the Independent Monitoring Board, held in Dubai in end April 2015, had extended travel restrictions on Pakistan due to Polio cases. The second question related to reports about Pakistani visitors to India through Wahga-Attari being administered second dose of polio drops by Indian authorities. The position is as follows: i. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) meeting was held in Abu Dhabi on 29-30 April 2015, to review the progress made by the Pakistan's Polio Eradication programme. The meeting appreciated the recent steps taken by Government of Pakistan on Polio Eradication. The meeting did not have any discussion relating to travel restrictions on Pakistan. The final report from IMB is yet to be issued. ii. We have seen the media reports about the second dose of Polio drops being administered to those travelling through Wahga-Attari border. We are ascertaining the details. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not received any complaint from Pakistani visitors, nor has the Indian side approached us in this regard. Now the Floor is open for Questions Question Recently, Washington has declared Al-Jazeera representative in Pakistan as a person linked to Al-Qaeda and put him on the watch list. What is Pakistan's response? Secondly, how does Pakistan view this type of finding? (Syed Mohsin Raza- Such TV) Answer Security clearance of foreign journalists is obtained before their accreditation. However, I will have to get details before commenting on what you have referred to. Question India and Pakistan have many issues and no dialogue is taking place between the sides. How do you view the Indian Prime Minister's consent for resumption of bilateral Cricket series between the two countries? (Syed Musharraf Kazmi- Musawat Group of Newspapers) Answer You are well aware of the issues between Pakistan and India. We keep discussing these issues from time to time. However, both sides have been playing matches against each other including Cricket matches. Such events are helpful in bringing the peoples of the two countries closer. As Chairman PCB said recently, we want to resume Cricket matches between the two countries. In this context, we welcome positive statements from India. Question Has Pakistan taken issue of RAW's involvement in the internal affairs of Pakistan with India bilaterally and at multilateral fora? (Zahid Gishgori-Express Tribune) Answer This question was asked during the last briefing. My response is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Question Was foreign hand involved in yesterday's bus attack in Karachi? Did you find proof of IS presence in the terrorist attacks in Pakistan? (Imdad Hussain- Online) Answer First, the whole nation is grieved because of the cowardly terrorist attack on innocent person resulting in the killing of 43 innocent people. All of us are mourning the loss of precious lives. Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and you know that Zarb-e-Azb is continuing and National Action Plan is being implemented to root out terrorism from the country. Our leadership has said that efforts will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated. Yesterday's deplorable incident is being investigated. As regards your question about IS, we have repeatedly said that IS has no footprint in Pakistan. However, our law enforcement and security agencies are vigilant and will take appropriate action, if need be. Question What Pakistan and OIC can do to support the Palestine cause keeping in view tomorrow is the 67th anniversary of Palestine's occupation by Israel? (Jamal Ismail- Abu Dhabi TV) Answer Pakistan has always supported the Palestinian cause. We support their inalienable right to self-determination. Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to the Palestinian cause. Question It has been reported in the media that Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh had told Indian Lok Sabha that India had evidence of Dawood Ibrahim's presence in Pakistan and vowed to do everything to bring Dawood Ibrahim to justice. Your comments please. (Mateen Haider-Dawn News) Answer I would invite your attention to the last briefing during which this question was asked and I had responded to it. Question A renowned journalist Seymour Hersh in a report said that Abbottabad raid that killed Osama Bin Laden was planned by Americans with the full knowledge and cooperation of Pak Army and ISI, then headed by General Kayani and General Pasha. Your comments please. (Kamran Haider- Bloomberg) Answer We strongly reject various claims made by Mr. Seymour Hersh regarding Pakistan. The allegation that Pakistan Government had prior knowledge of the US operation of 2nd May 2011 against Osama Bin Laden is baseless. Pakistan's commitment to eliminate terrorism remains undeterred. Pakistan has rendered enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. The ongoing 'Zarb-e-Azb' operation is a clear manifestation of our nation's resolve to root out terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations. Pakistan’s political leadership, Parliament, State institutions and the whole nation are fully united in this resolve. Question Elections were recently held in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is occupied territory of Azerbaijan. What is Pakistan's position on the election? (Amjad Ali- PTV News) Answer The parliamentary election held on 3rd May 2015 in Nagorno-Karabakh, occupied territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a clear violation of international norms. The election constitutes a clear breach of international law and UN Security Council resolutions. It is taken as an attempt to hamper the efforts to bring a lasting solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict through peaceful means. Pakistan reiterates its support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Question What is the official position on Maulana Fazalur Rehman's rejection of visa by Iran? Secondly, what is the status of extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK? (Kauser Lodhi- Prime News) Answer I will check on both and come back to you. Question It has been reported in the media that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif reportedly took up the issue of RAW's activities from the soil of Afghanistan against Pakistan during his Kabul visit. He also talked about joint operations against terrorists by Pakistan and Afghanistan. Your comments please? (Asghar Khan- Khyber News) Regarding Prime Minister's statement with his Afghan counterpart, I have two questions. Has Pakistan discarded Afghan Taliban and is supporting the incumbent Afghan Government? The statement also says that all sanctuaries of terrorists, when found, will be eliminated by direct action. Does Afghanistan have a right to eliminate terrorist sanctuaries inside Pakistan territory by direct action? (Shaukat Paracha- Aaj TV) Answer First, Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations stipulate that we will not allow our respective territories to be used against each other. Second, Pakistan has conveyed its concerns to Afghanistan that RAW must not use Afghan territory to create instability in Pakistan. The Prime Minister's Statement during joint press stakeout in Kabul is very clear and self-explanatory. I cannot add anything to it. The statement is available on the website of the Ministry. I wish to clarify that the Prime Minister's Statement talks about coordinated, not joint, operations. Question What is the current status of crisis in Yemen? Is Pakistan doing any mediation in Yemen? Secondly, North Korean Defence Minister is going to be hanged. What is Pakistan’s position on his hanging? (Shahid Rana- ARY News) Question (Supplementary) What is official position of Pakistan on killing of innocent civilians in Yemen? (Anwar Abbas- Waqat News) Answer Saudi Arabia has declared five-day ceasefire which is being implemented. It is meant to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen. We welcomed the ceasefire and have also announced humanitarian assistance of US dollar one million for the brotherly people of Yemen. We had also welcomed the announcement of end of air campaign in Yemen by Saudi Arabia on 22 April 2015. The Yemen crisis has also been discussed by the UN Security Council, and Pakistan is implementing Resolution 2216 adopted by it. I have no comments on your second question. Question According to Times of India, Pakistan High Commissioner to India has said that Pakistan is not going to give MFN status to India. What is official position in this regard? (Qasim Nauman- Wall Street Journal) Answer I will check and get back to you. Question 16 Pakistanis are in Israeli jails. Can you confirm it and what efforts Pakistan is making to bring them back to Pakistan? (Ali Hussain- Business Recorder) Answer The ship carrying them sank in the Mediterranean Sea in 2009. There are some media reports suggesting that 16 missing Pakistanis are in the custody of Israeli authorities. We are trying to ascertain through various means as to whether these reports are correct. We have also requested assistance of the UN in this regard. Question The recent improvement in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations is good omen for regional peace and stability. What is your assessment regarding Iran’s role in regional peace and stability? (Manafi Raza- IRNA) Answer Peace and stability in the region is in the interest of all countries. Iran is our brotherly and neighboring country and, when we meet, we discuss all issues including the situation in the region. But your question should be primarily directed to Iranian authorities. As I said, we stand for peace in the region. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has a vision for peaceful neighborhood. Therefore, we are pursuing his vision. Question What is update on Naltar Helicopter Crash? (Shaukat Paracha- Aaj TV) Answer As you know all possible efforts were made to deal with aftermath of Naltar tragic helicopter crash in an excellent manner. Only the mortal remains of wife of Malaysian Ambassador are left and will be sent this evening. That will complete the task, and our Crisis Management Cell will also be closed. Question Since Pakistan has discarded Taliban now, can Pakistan facilitate reconciliation between Taliban and Afghan Government? Your opinion please. (Shahid- Japanese News Agency) Answer It is our policy to support peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. We have been saying that we support Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process. Pakistan has been wholeheartedly supporting this process and will continue to do that because peace in Afghanistan is good for people of Afghanistan, people of Pakistan and the people of the entire region. Question A top Scotland Yard officer is in Pakistan and has held meetings with officials of Ministry of Interior and Foreign Affairs. Can you please confirm the agenda and objective of his visit keeping in view the investigations over the murder of Dr. Imran Farooq? (Mateen Haider-Dawn News) Answer You may wish to direct this question to Ministry of Interior. Question Regarding Naltar Helicopter Crash incident, is there any injured still under treatment in hospitals in Pakistan? (Naveed Siddique- SAMAA TV) Answer I will find out and confirm. We provided every possible assistance to the injured. The Ambassadors of Indonesia and the Netherlands were under treatment for burns at CMH Kharian. But both of them have been flown out from Pakistan. Question Has Indonesian Ambassador reached Indonesia since his air ambulance landed in India due to his deteriorating health? (Naveed- Jinnah) Answer It is true that his ambulance landed in Chennai due to his deteriorating health. He is now in Singapore.