(2015-03-19) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] Opening Remarks: There are no opening remarks The floor is open now for questions: Question: Pakistan has been consistently saying that it is ready to facilitate the reconciliation process in Afghanistan and provide any assistance in this regard to Afghanistan. May I know what type of assistance Pakistan is providing to facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process? (Masroor Gilani - AFP) Answer: Reconciliation is vital for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and in the region. We have welcomed the new Afghan Government’s call for dialogue to resolve differences. We have also welcomed the renewed prospects of peace-talks between the Afghan Government and the Taliban. Pakistan has always supported and will continue to support and facilitate an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in every possible way. Question: Recently we have seen in the media that the EU has expressed concerns over restoration of death penalty in Pakistan. Previously, those who were sentenced to death in terrorism related activities were executed but recently the capital punishment in general has been restored. Is this violation of human rights and international law by Pakistan? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer: Pakistan is not violating any international law. Normally the instrument that is cited restricting death penalty is International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Pakistan is a state party to ICCPR. I would like to draw your attention to article 6 of the ICCPR which says 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. It is the responsibility of the State to protect the life of its citizens and we are doing that. Again the same article clause 2 says that in countries which have not abolished the death penalty, 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 allow death penalty within legal parameters and condition of fair trial. Question: Altaf Hussain, a British national has been issuing statements against government of Pakistan. What is Foreign Office opinion on his statements? (Anwar Abbas- Waqt News) Answer: This question pertains to the Ministry of Interior to which it may be addressed. Question: Can you confirm the dates and agenda of forthcoming Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan? There are media reports that Chinese President will attend the 23rd March Ceremony at Islamabad. (Saima Shabbir- Aljazeera TV) Answer: We have already confirmed that the Chinese President’s visit will take place in the near future. As is our practice, the schedule of the visit will be announced simultaneously in Islamabad and Beijing. We have not reached that stage yet. We have already clarified the position in response to speculations. We do not have the practice of inviting foreign dignitaries at the 23rd March parade. Question: This is regarding recent restoration of the death penalty in Pakistan. There are reports that the EU may take back GSP Plus Status from Pakistan due to restoration of death penalty. Can you explain Pakistan’s position on it? (Zarghoon Shah- GEO TV) Answer: We have been engaging with the EU. In our engagement with EU, we have conveyed our perspective very clearly about the steps to deter to terrorism. The EU may not agree but understands our perspective. We are not violating any international law. Our engagement will continue. We do not expect this issue would impact on GSP+ status for Pakistan. Again, I would refer you to the Ministry of Interior for clarification on the question of the scope of removal of moratorium because this is a question of domestic law. Question: Can you please provide the details of forthcoming high level visit between Pakistan and Afghanistan? Especially can you confirm the Afghan Interior Minister’s visit to Pakistan in near future? (Waqas Rafique- Capital TV) Answer: There was a Ministerial visit from Afghanistan in connection with the return of Afghan refugees. The Ministry of SAFRON was the focal point for that visit. I understand that the Minister of State for Petroleum is representing Pakistan at the meeting in Kabul in connection with the TAPI project. The exchange of visits between two countries takes place quite regularly. Question: This is regarding an agreement between Pakistan and Afghanistan on return of Afghan Refugees back to Afghanistan by December 2015. Is this deadline being extended by mutual agreement between two countries? (Maqbool Malik- The Nation) Answer: Not to my knowledge. The agreement with the Afghan Government and the UNHCR is till December 2015. They must create the pull factors inside Afghanistan for the refugees to go back. We were encouraged by the statement of the new Afghan government that it attaches priority to the return of Afghan refugees and we hope that appropriate and necessary steps would be taken expeditiously by the Afghan Government, UNHCR and international community to pave the way for early return of Afghan refugees. Question: There are reports that USA has shared credible evidence against Mr. Lakhvi with Pakistan. Can you confirm this and what is Pakistan’s position on this? (Rabia Pir- VOA Radio) Answer: I do not think that report said that critical evidence was shared with Pakistan. We have made our position on Mumbai Trial very clear. Court proceedings are continuing and we expect the law to take its course in the case of Zakiur Rahman Lakhavi. Question: Follow-up to previous question, some legal experts in Pakistan are giving opinion in media that Pakistan is not serious in pursuing the Lakhvi case in courts in Pakistan. Can you please share Foreign Office’s position on the issue?(Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Question: India has been making efforts to internationalize the trial of Mumbai attack case, while the trial of the Samjhota Express case has not got much international media attention. Will Pakistan make efforts to bring Samjhota Express case on international fora? (Zarghoon Shah- GEO TV) Answer: I have not seen the ‘legal experts’ reports. However, Pakistan’s commitment to bring the perpetrators of Mumbai Attacks should not be questioned. I would point out that the delay in trial was not due to Pakistan because crime took place in another country and the prosecution, in order to proceed in the case, needed access to eye witnesses and other evidence. At the last briefing, I gave you all the details. Our Judicial Commission could not get access to the main accused and it took the Indian Government over four years to agree to the recording of the four prosecution witnesses. The delay complicated the trial and created difficulties for the prosecution. These constraints notwithstanding, the trial is underway. On the other hand, I would like to draw your attention towards the terrorist attack in which many Pakistanis were killed – the Samjhuta Terrorist Attack. India has not shared with us the findings in the Samjhuta Terrorist Attack. Despite assurances at the highest level, the Indian side is yet to start a formal trial to bring the perpetrators to justice. Despite evidence and confession of Swami Aseemanand who also provided evidence of involvement of Indian armed forces officers in the Samjhota terrorist attack, trial has not started. We cannot have different standards for different countries in facing terrorism. Terrorism is a threat to the global community and to this region in particular. Cooperation and concerted efforts are needed to fight it. The lives of Pakistanis killed in terrorism are as precious as the lives of citizens of any other country. Question: According to media reports, Sri Lankan President is scheduled to visit to Pakistan has been postponed again. Can you confirm the visit, its exact dates and agenda? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer: The media itself announced the dates of the visit as well as its postponement. You would recall, we confirmed that the visit is expected. Dates are being worked out. When we have confirmed dates, we will announce the visit. Question: Has Foreign office given its nod in the appointment of new Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada? (Maqbool Malik – The Nation) Answer: I cannot comment on appointment of Ambassadors and High Commissioners till it is formal. Question: In Pakistan, period of life imprisonment is 14 years while in other countries it is 25 years. Can you explain this? (Shahid Rana- ARY) Answer: This question may be addressed to the Ministry of Interior because this relates to domestic law. Question: Secondly, there are reports that Pakistanis in Iraq are not being allowed/ banned to visit Pakistan’s embassy in Baghdad. Can you confirm this? (Shahid Rana- ARY) Answer: No, that is not possible. We have not received any reports about it. Certain issues relating to Pakistanis in Iraq were pointed out earlier and we took it up our Embassy and we have been told that the Embassy is in contact with the community. This was about Pakistanis being stranded in Iraq due to cancellation of flights. Question: There are reports that Pakistan’s High commissioner to London is being summoned today by British Commonwealth Office or 10 Downing Street to express their resentment on recent attacks on churches in Lahore. Can you confirm this? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer: No, I cannot confirm that. Pakistan is confronted with terrorism which has emanated from the events in this region over the last thirty years. This is not of Pakistan’s own making. Pakistanis have been attacked in Masjids, Churches, Imam Bargahs, market places and schools. Our children have been killed. It would be unfair to take one terrorist attack and paint it as discrimination against minorities. Irrespective of their religion, the victims of terrorism are Pakistanis. *****************