(2015-04-16) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.] There are no Opening Remarks: Now the Floor is open for Questions: Question: The Parliament House has set 21st April 2015 for the address of the President of China to the Joint Session of Parliament. Can you please confirm the official dates of the visit of the Chinese President? Secondly, what is the message of Prime Minister of Pakistan on Yemen crisis being conveyed to the Saudi leadership by the high level delegation currently in Saudi Arabia? (Mateen Haider-Dawn News) Answer: Yes, I can confirm the Chinese President’s visit. He will visit Pakistan on 20-21 April 2015. He will be accompanied by a high powered delegation and a number of important agreements/MoUs are expected to be signed during the visit. The details of the visit are being finalized and we will share with you in Islamabad and Beijing, simultaneously. The Chief Minister of Punjab travelled to Saudi Arabia as Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to meet the Saudi leadership. Adviser to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Secretary also accompanied him. The delegation has held meetings. They should be landing back anytime now. Question: The Indian Security Forces are continuously violating the Line of Control and Working Boundary by pounding artillery and fire on the Pakistan side. What is Foreign Office opinion on it? Secondly, the Kashmiris yesterday unfurled Pakistani flag while protesting in Srinagar and Indian security forces tortured the peaceful protesters. What is the Pakistan’s position on the violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris by the Indian Security Forces? (Syed Musharraf Kazmi- Musawat Group of Newspapers) Answer: We have expressed concern about the violations of LOC and Working Boundary in the past also. We have raised it with India through different mechanisms that are place between the two countries. We have brought it to the notice of the UN Secretary General and the Security Council. We have also pointed out to the international community that at a time when Pakistan is in the decisive phase of its counter terrorism operations, this kind of aggression on its eastern border would distract us and this is in no one’s interest. As regards your second question, we are concerned at the constant violations of Kashmiris’ fundamental rights. We remain steadfast in our principled stand of extending full moral, political and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brothers in Indian Occupied Kashmir. We offer our condolences to them. As for your question about raising of Pakistani flag and the Indian reaction, well, what we witnessed yesterday on the streets of Srinagar is the manifestation of the deep and lasting emotional bonds between the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and the people of Pakistan. It is regrettable that India chose to use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators over exercising their right to peaceful assembly. We believe that the charges against the Kashmiri leadership are bogus and illegal as India does not have any legal right to demand allegiance to India by the people of Kashmir who belong to a disputed territory and whose final settlement according to UN Security Council resolutions is yet to happen. Question: According to media reports, certain Foreign Security/ Intelligence Agencies were involved in the Turbat incident in which several innocent laborers were killed. Is Foreign Office taking up these reports at relevant international fora?(Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal- Kashmir Post) Answer: Foreign sponsored terrorism is obviously a serious matter and we raise it at appropriate forums. Question: According to media reports, Khalid Wyne, a 24 year old youth, was killed by the Indian Security Forces in Kashmir. What is Foreign Office stance on it?(Imdad Hussain-Online) Answer: I have just responded to this question. Question: 11 Pakistanis are in Sana’a jail. The jail officials have said that if Pakistani Government can contact them for their evacuation, they can be sent back to Pakistan. Is Government of Pakistan making any efforts for their evacuation? (Shahid Rana- ARY TV) Answer: No, this is not the factual position. We are in contact with the authorities there as well as through the Embassy of Yemen here. We are looking at the possibility of evacuating them or at least ensuring their safety. Question: An official has confirmed that Pakistan plans to buy submarines from China. Can you please share more details of the kind of submarines Pakistan is buying?(Kamran Haider- Bloomberg) Answer: I don’t have this information. You may like to address this question to the official who confirmed the plan to you. Question: Iran has proposed a joint action by Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan inside Afghanistan and Pakistan territory against the Daish. Afghanistan is considering it. Did Iran make such a proposal to Pakistan and what is Pakistan’s response to such proposal? (Ayesha Tanzeem- Voice of America) Answer: No such proposal has been made to Pakistan. I would not comment on media reports. Question: Senior Advisor Khalid Kidwai has reportedly said in the Unites States that Pakistan needed to build tactical nuclear weapons in view of India’s nuclear doctrine. The New York Times in its 06 April edition emphasized that after Iran, the World Powers need to focus on South Asia specially Pakistan Nuclear Program since it poses a threat to the World security. What is Foreign Office position in this regard? (Waqas Rafique-Capital TV) Answer: Well, I understand Gen. Kidwai explained the rationale for Pakistan building full spectrum deterrence in the context of the regional situation. As regards the New York Time editorial, it is very disappointing that the newspaper has chosen to present a skewed and biased description of the South Asian security situation in its editorial of 6 April 2015 titled ‘Nuclear Fears in South Asia’. The editorial seems to be part of a familiar pattern of motivated and, at times ill informed, campaign which surfaces at regular intervals. The editorial analysis by the New York Times misses out entirely on the well established facts about introduction of nuclear weapons in South Asia. Pakistan was not the first to introduce nuclear weapons in South Asia. We were forced to develop nuclear capability purely for self defence. Also, the newspaper has conveniently overlooked the question of conventional buildup and India’s aggressive military posturing, particularly; the continuously increasing defence budget US $ 40 billion US at present, cold start doctrine, pro-active operations, development of nuclear triad, introduction of nuclear weapons submarines in South Asia, development of Inter- Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and canisterization of nuclear missiles. Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapons state with a robust command and control structure headed by the Prime Minister. We strictly conform to the concept of credible minimum deterrence. We do not want a conventional or nuclear arms race in South Asia. We have been compelled to develop a full spectrum deterrence capability to maintain regional stability and to deter aggression. Pakistan’s bilateral proposal to India of a Strategic Restrain Regime (SRR) remains on the table since 1999 without a positive response. The SRR consists of three interlocking elements of nuclear and missile restraint, conventional balance and conflict resolution. It is important to view the situation in South Asia in a non-discriminatory and neutral manner and support Pakistan’s efforts for stability and lasting peace in the region. The Pakistani nation has time and again proved its resilience and determination to overcome difficult times. Hence, recycling of the hackneyed theories about impending economic disaster or terrorists posing a serious threat to the State structure, serve no purpose. Question: Our Defence Minister is in Russia for talks with his counterpart. Ministry of Defence in its statement on talks said that use of force is no solution to address the conflict in Yemen. Does this apply that Pakistan is opposed to Saudi Military intervention in Yemen?(Kamran Yousaf- Express Tribune) Answer: It was a general reiteration of principle that use of force is not a solution. I do not recall seeing any specific reference to Yemen. Question: What is Foreign Office position on the statement of the UAE Foreign Minister who said that Pakistan has to pay heavy price for maintaining neutrality in Yemen conflict? Secondly, the Saudi Religious Minister in his visit to Pakistan met with leaders of various religious parties of Pakistan who offered to send fighters to Yemen to fight against the rebels. What is Foreign Office position on this offer?(Asif Hashmi-Al Jazeera English) Answer: First, I may point out that there was no official statement from the UAE Foreign Minister. We understand there was a tweet. We do not respond to tweets. Nothing has been conveyed to us officially. Secondly, there was a question about Saudi Religious Minister’s last time also. This is part of normal interaction between the two countries. I understand he was here at the invitation of our Minister for Religious Affairs with whom he met. Question: What are the contents of call made in the last 48 hours between the Secretary of State John Kerry and Prime Minister of Pakistan? (Qasim Nauman- The Wall Street Journal) Answer: The US Secretary of State, during his call, briefed the Prime Minister on US policy related to some issues. Question: According to media reports, 154 people were killed in Afghanistan by Daish. What is Pakistan’s opinion on it? Secondly, what are the efforts of Pakistan in bringing Afghan Government and Taliban at the negotiating table in Qatar?(Zarghoon Shah- Geo News) Answer: I am not aware of these reports. There have been some terrorist attacks in Afghanistan recently in which civilians have also died. We condemn these attacks. You are well aware of our policy on the reconciliation in Afghanistan. We support Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. Pakistan always stands ready to provide whatever assistance it can possibly provide. I would not get into details. Question: Consequent upon the call of Secretary of State John Kerry, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has sent a high level delegation to Saudi Arabia. Some Pakistan Parliamentarians are worried that the Government may change its stance on Yemen crisis due to this telephonic call. Your comments please. (Muhammad Reza Munafi- IRNA) Answer: It is highly speculative. There is no connection between Secretary of State Kerry’s call and the delegation’s visit to Saudi Arabia. Question: Parliamentary Resolution on Yemen calls for neutrality, while PM statement says that Pakistan will not remain neutral. What is the status of Parliament emphasis on neutrality? Secondly, do you think that the UN Security Council arms embargo on rebels is enough for peace in Yemen as Arabs coalition has refused to accept ceasefire in Yemen, how will they implement it? (Ali Furqan – Aaj TV) Answer: There are many other elements of the parliamentary resolution, not just neutrality. Kindly read the whole resolution. What the Prime Minister said was in line with the parliamentary resolution. I do not see any contradiction. It is not for me to comment on how other states would implement the resolution. You may know that this resolution was supported by the GCC. Question: What are the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to bring peace in Yemen? Is it planning to send delegation to talk to Houthis in Yemen?(Anwar Abbas-Waqt News) Answer: Houthis do not represent any State. They are non state actors whose action we have already condemned. The UN Security Council Resolution is also quite clear about that. We have called upon all the warring factions in Yemen to find a solution through dialogue. The Prime Minister has been in contact with the Turkish leadership and also visited Turkey. The Iranian Foreign Minister visited Pakistan. There have been discussions on the Yemen crisis. We are also in contact with the other countries. We have also expressed the hope that the UNSC resolution will be implemented. Question: Is evacuation of Pakistanis from Yemen completed? For the Pakistanis who are still in Yemen, what measures Government is taking for their security?(Sidrah Iftikhar- Saudi TV) Answer: The formal operation to evacuate Pakistanis was terminated some days back. But our Navy ship is present in the area. If and when other Pakistanis would want to be evacuated they will be helped. Some people are crossing over from Saudi-Yemeni border. There were also some who came through Oman. They were flown to Pakistan. Yes, as we have been confirming some Pakistanis may be around 100 decided to stay back and some of them said that their employers have assured them security. ******************