(2017-09-14) Opening Remarks Bismillah IrRehman NirRahim Assalaam Alaikum Distinguished friends, ladies & gentlemen! Last week the Foreign Minister had his first media briefing in his new capacity. The backdrop was recent developments in this region, subsequent discussions in the Cabinet, National Security Committee, Parliament of Pakistan and Envoys' Conference of selected Ambassadors posted in Capitals directly relevant in the context the developments. To review the latest developments and consult regional countries, the Foreign Minister undertook visits to China, Iran and Turkey. The visits were successful in terms of convergence of interest and viewpoints on the situation in the region, including Afghanistan. Salient converging points were: (1)Peace in Afghanistan is important for stability in the region; (2) No military solution of Afghan conflict; (3) Regional solution of the situation in Afghanistan; (4) Afghan owned and Afghan led dialogue for peace; (5) Pakistan has contributed immensely in the fight against terrorism and has rendered unprecedented sacrifices, suffered human and economic losses; (6) Presence of terrorist outfits in Afghanistan and safe havens are a threat to regional countries; (7) Terrorism is a global phenomenon and hence warrants global cooperation; (8) Blame game serves no one's interest and is counterproductive in the efforts to counter terrorism; (9) For lasting regional peace, resolution of disputes like Kashmir is important; and (10) Human rights violations in IoK are a matter of serious concern and condemnable. We have noted that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has strongly condemned human rights violations committed by Hindu terrorists, persecution of religious minorities and deplored position taken by India in the context of Rohingya Muslims. Indian occupation forces continue to commit crimes against innocent Kashmiris with impunity. Amnesty Int'l has demanded ban on pellet guns, which has blinded scores of Kashmiris including children and students, both girls and boys. In its 112 pages report, Amnesty Int'l has, inter alia, said that the effects of these weapons will be felt for years to come. The lives of those blinded have entirely changed and they are struggling to cope. Pellet guns are used only against Kashmiris in IoK. Since 1st September, atrocities by Indian occupation forces have caused martyrdom of 09 Kashmiris [[Ishfaq Ahmad Paddar, Pervaiz Ahmed Wani and 24-year old B-Ed student Nayeem Ahmed Najar, Maqsood Ahmed Shah, Shahid Ahmed Shiekh, Tariq Ahmad Bhat, Altaf Ahmad Rather, Dawood Ahmad Khan (25) a final year graduate student and Sayar Ahmad Wani, (20)]] and injured 74, in Kulgam, Sopore, Srinagar, and Pulwama areas. Pellet guns have been used inhumanly. Dozens have been arrested during illegal house raids. Detention and inhuman treatment of Kashmiri leaders continues, which we condemn. Now the Floor is open for Questions Question As we saw yesterday, Indian CFVs continued. Pakistan Foreign Office has once again summoned Indian DHC to lodge protest against Indian forces' unprovoked ceasefire violations on LoC. India violates ceasefire agreement of 2003 frequently. How do you see the Indian malicious designs? What can Pakistan do on ground to deter Indian belligerence across LoC? (Shabbir Waghra - PTV World) Answer Pakistan strongly condemns the unprovoked ceasefire violations by India. Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations. In 2017 to date, Indian forces have carried out more than 700 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the Shahadat of 30 innocent civilians and injuries to 113, as compared to 382 ceasefire violations in 2016. Pakistan has lodged strong protest with the Indian Government against deliberate targeting of innocent civilians including women and children. Our Armed forces are capable of responding to any misadventure carried out by the Indian forces. Question Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said in a TV interview last night that he will be proceeding to US tonight, and will stay there for two weeks in connection with UNGA Session. Will he hold meetings with US officials, as well as officials from other countries? What is the agenda of his visit? (Shahid Maitla - ARY News) Supplementary Question Prime Minister will be travelling to US for the UNGA Session shortly. Are there any sideline meetings with world leaders scheduled so far? Will he be attending the breakfast meeting normally hosted by US President Donald Trump every year on the sidelines? (Naveed Akbar - Daily Duniya) Answer Regarding Mr. Shahid Maitla's question, the occasions such as UNGA Session, afford an opportunity to the world leaders to meet their counterparts and share views on issues of mutual interest. In the past also, sideline meetings were scheduled. This time also there may be meetings but I don't have the schedule at the moment. We may share the details with you, when available. As for Mr. Naveed Akbar's question, I am not aware of Prime Minister's schedule of meetings at UNGA at this point in time. I may seek details and share, when available. Question Reportedly, senior Indian army personnel has called LoC an imaginary line, and said that surgical strikes were a message to Pakistan that this line could be crossed anytime. How do you see the war-mongering statements coming from Indian leadership? Second, during the recent visit of Afghan Foreign Minister to India, there were talks to revive Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). In their joint discourse, there were subtle indications towards Pakistan through their reference to LeT and JeM, and the purported attacks of these terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and the neighbourhood. Please comment! (Shaukat Paracha - AAJ TV) Supplementary Question Reportedly, US military sales to India have gone from zero to US $15bn in one decade. India has also become a major defence and strategic partner. Indo-US relationship is developing more in the military domain than economic. Your views! (Essa Naqvi - Dunya TV) Answer As to Mr. Shaukat Paracha's first question, Indian Army often makes false claims in order to gain popularity among the Indian public and media. Pakistan, on the other hand, has encouraged peaceful engagement with India and emphasized confidence building measures. However, our good gestures have not been reciprocated by India. In fact, such statements are a continuation of the long prevailing Indian mindset. If you look at the statements of various Indian leaders and officials, you will be able to identify a pattern, which is based on anti Pakistan and anti-Muslim rhetoric by deepening the communal lines in the society. Beef ban, lynching of Muslims and a surge of violence in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir and denial of freedom to practice religion like offering Juma prayers, testify this assertion. Regarding your second question, we do not comment on relations between two sovereign states. The Foreign Minister spoke with his Afghan counterpart to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries. He had underlined Pakistan's support for Afghan owned and Afghan led peace process for bringing lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to meet on the sidelines of UNGA in New York, later this month. It is unfortunate that India remains obsessed with its campaign to malign Pakistan. Those who get misled are pitiable. With regard to Mr. Essa's question, you have referred to some reports in the context. You would recall that during Indian Prime Minister's visit to Washington in June this year, a major deal for sale of Guardian UAVs (submarine drones) was finalized. We had expressed our concerns on the sale of advanced military technologies to India. We believe that such sales accentuate military imbalances in the region and undermine strategic stability in South Asia. This further emboldens India to adopt aggressive military doctrines and even contemplate military adventurism. Transfers of modern military hardware and technologies as well as repeated exceptions made for India have dis-incentivized India to engage in efforts to establish a strategic restrain regime and durable security architecture in the region. Question What is Foreign Office's stance on the two Pakistani diplomats been implicated by FIA in alleged drug dealing case? We have received FIA's letter in this regard. (Bashir Chaudhry - Channel 24) Answer The matter that you are referring has already been investigated by an Inter-Ministerial Committee under Ministry of Interior and as nothing was found against the two officials, the Committee had exonerated them. Question Brutal murder of Journalist Gauri Lankesh, by Hindu terrorists is a constant reminder to the International Community of the toll Hindutva ideology is taking on freedom of speech and other rights and growing intolerance in India. Your comments in the light of India's claim of being world's largest democracy! (Saima Shabbir - Bol TV) Supplementary Question You must be aware that Indian occupation forces have arrested a prominent photo-journalist, Mr. Kamran Yousaf in IoK, on the fake charges of stone pelting. We all know that his graphic photography of Indian atrocities in IoK had gone viral on social media. He has been arrested for more than two weeks now. What is your response on his arrest on fake allegations? (Abid Khurshid - ATV) Answer Regarding Ms. Saima Shabbir's question, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Amnesty Int'l have condemned India for references contained in your question. Growing intolerance in India, since the Modi Government came to power, has raised concerns globally. The freedom of speech has been under continuous threat by the Hindu terrorist elements belonging to RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal, and others, who are bent upon silencing every sane and liberal voice. Gauri Lankesh's death has been celebrated by Hindutva right-wingers, which reflects the current mindset of the Modi Government. We believe that "The UN Special Rapporteur on promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, The Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights defenders and The Special Rapporteur on extra judicial, summary or arbitrary executions" have taken note of these crimes against humanity. As to Mr. Abid's question, what you are referring is one of the many incidents of numerous journalists and other innocent Kashmiris being attacked and brutalized by Indian occupation forces in IoK. Besides this, there have been numerous fake encounters in which innocent Kashmiris have been killed. I have already mentioned in my opening remarks on how Indian occupation forces are carrying out illegal house raids and arbitrary arrests of innocent civilians, without a word about their welfare or whether they are alive or buried somewhere in unnamed and unknown graves. Such gross human rights violations are being constantly committed by Indian occupation forces with impunity, which is highly condemnable. We have taken up the matter forcefully with the International community and will continue to do so until the perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes against humanity. Question In IoK Kashmiris solemnly observed the death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam, with slogans of Pakistan Zindabad. How does Pakistan see such a display of affection, especially when martyred Kashmiris prefer buried wrapped in Pakistani flag? Even after the passage of 70 years, Kashmiris look towards us with hope. Your comments please! (Asghar Ali Mubarak - Daily Mail Islamabad) Answer Pakistan pledges its political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri movement. People of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir have withstood the tyranny and brutality of the Indian Armed forces with sheer determination and resolve. Their affection for Pakistan has only grown which is evident by the fact that Pakistani flags are waved all over Jammu & Kashmir. No amount of oppression will subdue the passion and zeal of the Kashmiris. For the people of Pakistan, the Kashmiris in IoK live in our hearts and we follow with pain their suffering. They are our brothers and sisters and as the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) goes, 'if one part of your body hurts, the pain is felt by the whole body'. Pakistan will continue to steadfastly support Kashmiris' legitimate movement for self-determination morally, diplomatically and politically. Question First, Pakistan has rejected all allegations made by Trump's Afghanistan & South Asia policy. With reference to his claim that Pakistan was given billions of dollars in military assistance, do you have a consolidated figure of the amount of military assistance given to Pakistan, including in Coalition Support Fund since 9/11? Second, in a television interview yesterday, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that one of the objectives of his recent visit to regional countries was to pressurize some countries. Your comments! (Ali Hussain - Business Recorder) Supplementary Questions Is Foreign Office well prepared to brief officials of US administration on Pakistan stance in the wake of Trump's Afghanistan & South Asia policy, since Foreign Minister staying there for more than two weeks. (Shahid Rehman - Kyodo News Agency) Supplementary Questions During the upcoming UNGA Session where our Prime Minister will be accompanied by the Foreign Minister, are there any meetings scheduled with the US officials? (Anwar Abbas - Waqat News) Answer As to the last question, we may share details when available. As to Mr. Shahid's question, I have responded earlier also that in the backdrop of recent development in this region, a comprehensive discussion took place at various forums within Pakistan including the Federal Cabinet, National Security Committee, Parliament and the Envoys' Conference. All these meetings took stock of the developments taking place in this region and beyond. It was in this context that Foreign Minister undertook the recent visit to regional countries. Preparations for Prime Minister and his delegation's visit for the UNGA Session are ongoing. Foreign Minister, in his media interaction last week, mentioned that Pakistan will uphold its core national interests while maintaining mutually beneficial relations with other countries. Our relationship with many countries has seen many progressive trends in this regard. Regarding Foreign Minister's visit to regional countries, there was convergence of interests on many issues, as I also mentioned in my opening remarks, including on finding a regional solution to the Afghanistan situation, under Afghan led and Afghan owned peace initiative. On the question regarding statistics for US assistance, I don't have details readily available. Question Mr. Shyam Saran, the former Indian diplomat's admitted in his book that India was responsible for scuttling the settlement of two big contentious issues viz. 'Siachen' and 'Sir Creek' when they were ripe for resolution. It confirms that its India not interested in peace with Pakistan. Your comments! (Amjad Ali - PTV News) (also asked by Tariq Sial - INN/Jinnah News) Answer India has never been sincere in the efforts towards peace in the region. Indian propaganda to malign Pakistan has been exposed many times. Indian state institutions' connivance with the Hindu terrorist organisation, RSS, to stage terrorist attacks on its own soil and blame it on Indian Muslims, and/ or alleged non-state actors in Pakistan, stood exposed in the IG Police of Maharashtra, S.M.Mushrif's book: 'Who killed Karkare'. Confessions of Kulbhushan, Ehsanullah Ehsan and statement of Chuck Hagel are a testimony to the Indian involvement in perpetrating terrorism, terror financing and use of Afghan soil against Pakistan. Recent episodes of blockade of one of its neighbours, which is a landlocked country, by India for 4 months, interference in that country's internal affairs, Indian recent border violation of another sovereign neighbour, their meddling in other SAARC neighbours' internal affairs, subversive activities in Balochistan, etc. are some of many examples of a country that has been using false pretexts to malign others and appear as a victim. Question You mentioned that the Foreign Minister's visit to regional countries was successful in that a regional consensus was developed viz-a-viz the solution of the Afghan problem. US Ambassador to Pakistan has recently suggested to revive the previous 6+1 process for Afghanistan. Since we are talking about the regional role, will there be a change of situation if 6+1 is held now? (Fakhur ur Rehman - SAMAA TV) Answer With regard to bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan, there are many initiatives. There is Heart of Asia (Istanbul Process), QCG, Moscow talks, Brussels conference, Kabul Process, etc. wherein Pakistan's position is well known and that is we want to see peace and stability in Afghanistan. It is our principled position that Pakistan will support all Afghan owned and Afghan led initiatives aimed at bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan has played a constructive role in the Afghan peace processes and remains committed to that end. Pakistan wants lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. Question India is investing in Afghanistan to serve its own interests, and increasing its bilateral ties with the country. In your view, as India is using its influence in Afghanistan to use it against Pakistan, are there any prospects for peace in the region? (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal - Kashmir Posts) Answer I have responded to similar questions earlier also. As a matter of policy, we do not comment on the bilateral relations between any two countries. However, we remain concerned that the Afghan soil continues to be used by India against Pakistan. Conflict in Afghanistan is persisting for around four decades, which has created ungoverned spaces there, which have become safe havens for various terrorist outfits. India is also exploiting this situation there against Pakistan. We have raised this issue not only bilaterally with many countries, but also at the UN. We have submitted dossiers to the UN in the context of Indian state institutions' involvement in perpetrating terrorism, terror financing and subversive activities in Pakistan. No one would endorse Indian activities of this nature. Question My question is related to the plight of Rohingya's Muslims. What is the Pakistani government doing to alleviate this crisis? Second has Pakistan made contacts with any other country, particularly China with regard to the Myanmar issue? (Naeem Jadoon - Khabrain) Answer Pakistan's position on Rohingya Muslims issue is already in the public domain. Foreign Minister issued a statement, Cabinet adopted a Resolution, and Pakistan participated at the highest level in the OIC Special Session on the plight of Rohingyas on the sidelines of OIC Science and Technology Summit in Kazakhstan. Our position on this issue is very clear. We have reiterated our commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya Muslims, and called upon Myanmar Government for implementation of the Kofi Annan Commission Report. Pakistan also supports other propositions, which calls the Myanmar Government to take urgent measures to address this issue. Pakistan has also recently summoned the Myanmar Ambassador to lodge protest. Question Prime Minister had suggested a joint operation on the Pak-Afghan border recently. Has Pakistan formally conveyed this to the Afghan government and, if so, have we received a response? (Rabia Pir - Voice of America Diva Radio) Answer I think what was mentioned in the media reports was about joint patrolling of the border. I don't have details. Question India has submitted its memorial on Kulbushan Jhadev case in the ICJ. Has Pakistan officially requested details of this memorial from ICJ so far? When will Pakistan submit its response? (Mona Khan - Geo TV) Supplementary Question Who will be adhoc judge from Pakistan in ICJ, who will represent as a lawyer? (Syed Aun Sherazi - Sach TV) Answer India has submitted its memorial on 13th September 2017. MEA also issued statement in this regard. Pakistan will submit its counter memorial to ICJ by 13 December 2017. However, we should be mindful of the case at hand. India is trying to bring out the humanitarian aspect of a person who has made a public confession on how he was launched by India to carry out subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan. Commander Kulbushan Jhadev is on record to have confessed many terrorist attacks within Pakistan, which caused loss of many precious and innocent lives of Pakistanis and inflicted material losses. Many citizens also suffered from life threatening and lifetime injuries due to Commander Jhadev's subversive activities. Therefore, we must be mindful of India's mischievous designs and motive. Since India was caught red-handed with irrefutable evidence in a case in which its state institutions and state actors are involved in terrorism, terror financing and subversive activities in a sovereign state, it is trying to divert international community's attention from the real issue. Commander Kulbushan Jhadev and his accomplices caused immense sufferings to the Pakistani nation. We must be mindful of this fact while talking about him. Question How do you comment on the reports that because the Pakistani establishment has financial and military ties with Myanmar, Pakistan has given a muted response to the plight Rohingya Muslims, whereas their situation is as intense, if not less, as of Kashmiris in IoK. Your comments please! (Syed Mohsin Raza - Asas Group of Publications) Answer Our stance on Rohingya Muslims is very clear and already in the public domain. I have already given an elaborate response to an earlier question.