(2016-01-21) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.] Opening Statement: Condemnation of Terrorist Attack On Bacha Khan University The leadership, officers and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and their families join the nation in condemning the terrorist attack on the Bacha Khan University, which resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to many. We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray to Almighty Allah to give them strength and fortitude to bear their irreparable loss. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The prompt and brave measures taken by our Army and security personnel against the terrorists saved many precious lives and are highly commendable. The cowardly terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University has further strengthened the nation's resolve to take all possible measures to eliminate terrorism from Pakistan. The Floor is open for Questions Question It is said that the terror attacks taking place in Pakistan are linked with elements in Afghanistan. Will Pakistan raise this issue with Afghanistan? Will Pakistan take action in the Afghan territory adjoining Pakistan? (Khawaja Nayeer Iqbal - Kashmir Post) Answer Firstly, yesterday DG ISPR gave a detailed briefing on the terrorist attack. Secondly, investigations into the incident are underway. We should wait for completion of the investigations, before reaching any conclusion. Question What is the official acknowledgment from Tehran and Riyadh about the mediatory role of Pakistan? (Mohsin Raza - Such TV) Answer The press release issued by us after Prime Minister's visit to Riyadh had highlighted that Pakistan's initiative was appreciated by Saudi Arabia. After Prime Minister's visit to Tehran, he himself spoke to media about the positive response received from the Iranian leadership. The purpose of the initiative was to help reduce tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Both sides gave positive response to Pakistan's efforts. Question Following Advisor Sartaj Aziz's statement to both the Senate and National Assembly you had to issue clarifications. Then he was reported to have said that the US policies had caused instability in our region. What do you have to say now about his statement? (Shaukat Paracha - AAJ TV) Answer The Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, was misquoted. Pakistan and the United States enjoy friendly relations. Both sides have longstanding cooperation in a number of fields of mutual interest including Trade and Investment, Education, Science and Technology, people-to-people contacts, Energy, Defence and Security. The relationship between the two countries was further strengthened during Prime Minister's bilateral visit to Washington in October 2015. During the visit, President Obama and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed their desire to expand the bilateral relationship in areas outside the traditional security realm in recognition of the multifaceted issues facing both countries. The two leaders had expressed their conviction that a resilient U.S.-Pakistan partnership was vital to regional and global peace and security and reaffirmed their commitment to address evolving threats in South Asia. The reasons for terrorism and resulting instability in South Asia are well known. They relate to developments that have taken place in Pakistan's neighborhood over the last few decades. Pakistan and the US share the objective of peace and stability in the region. Participation of the US in the Quadrilateral Coordination Group to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan is a case in point in this regard. Question We heard that about 50,000 people cross the Afghan-Pakistan border every day without visa and on simple identification documents. Is there any move to control this? (Zarghoon Shah - Geo TV) Answer You may ask this question to the Ministry of Interior. Question It was reported that the US Congress has approved a handsome amount for better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Can you confirm that this amount has been received by Pakistan? Secondly, what is the status of Coalition Support Funds (CSF)? (Mateen Haider - Dawn News) Answer As regards your first question, I will have to check whether funds have been received. We remain in touch with the US authorities on a number of issues including reimbursement under the CSF. Question In his statement in Iran, the Prime Minister referred to focal persons. Is there any progress on that? What is the response of Saudi Arabia on the proposal of focal persons? (Kamran Haider - Bloomberg) Answer We are in touch with both the governments. I have nothing more to share with you at this stage. Question Ahead of Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia, you had mentioned that various facets of Pakistan's participation in the 34-Nation coalition will be discussed during the visit. Are you in a position to confirm to us what facets have been finalized? Secondly, two meetings of the Quadrilateral Coordination Group on Afghanistan have taken place. Are you in a position to indicate when the Taliban leadership will be invited to this process? (Fakhar-e-Rehman- Turkish News Agency) Answer During Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia and Iran, bilateral relations of Pakistan with these countries were also discussed. In response to your second question, let me say that meetings on peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan are taking place within the Quadrilateral framework. Two meetings have already been held. The next meeting will be held on 06 February 2016 in Islamabad. We have been keeping you informed about the outcome of the Quadrilateral meetings through joint statements. We will keep you informed on developments in future as well. Question Have any date been proposed by either side for the Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan? (Amjad Ali - PTV) Answer As we said earlier, meeting between Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India will be held in the very near future. Both sides are in contact in this regard. Question Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was the first world leader to visit Iran after the lifting of sanctions. What is Pakistan's official position on lifting of sanctions against Iran? (Raza Munafi - IRNA) Answer Pakistan welcomed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreed between Iran and the P5+1 and EU on 14 July 2015. We also welcome the latest progress in terms of the implementation of JCPOA. Pakistan believes that smooth implementation of the JCPOA augurs well for the region's peace and stability. Lifting of sanctions on Iran including on banking transactions would be helpful in enhancing our relations with Iran in various fields of mutual interest including trade. Question What set of measures is the Quadrilateral Group on Afghanistan taking to attract Taliban? If Taliban are not part of the roadmap, how can they accept it? (Jamal) Answer The Quadrilateral Coordination Group has been established to pursue peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and an early resumption of talks between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban. All the issues, including those that you have raised, will be discussed within this Group. We will keep you informed of the developments. Question It has been reported by a section of media that terrorists who attacked Bacha Khan University chanted slogans of Daesh. What is your comment? (Anwar Abbas - Waqat News) Answer I am not in a position to comment on anything before completion of investigations. Question In the aftermath of APS tragedy, the road was leading to Afghanistan where Mullah Fazlullah has taken sanctuary. So was the case yesterday. The intercepted phone calls were again leading to Afghanistan. What active role Ministry of Foreign Affairs has played in conveying to Afghanistan to either hand over Mullah Fazlullah or other terrorists or to take action on its soil? Because this is a lingering problem and I just want to know what instructions have been passed to our Ambassador in Kabul because we see Army Chief going there and other officials talking to them. What is our Ambassador doing and what are the instructions from Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey to the Afghans with regard to the sanctuaries of the terrorists within Afghanistan? (Raza Khan - PTV World) Answer Pakistan maintains contact with Afghanistan at different levels. During the early part of December 2015, Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Meeting was hosted by Pakistan. As Afghan leadership was here on that occasion, all issues of mutual interest and concern were discussed with them. Military leadership of the two countries also remains in touch with each other. Our Embassy too maintains close contact with Afghan authorities. Our policy on Afghanistan is well known. We support peace in Afghanistan. You know that Prime Minister visited Afghanistan last year. We have said that enemies of Afghanistan are enemies of Pakistan and vice versa. Quadrilateral Coordination Group is also holding its meetings. The first meeting of the Group was held in Pakistan and the third will also be held in Pakistan. When authorities of Pakistan and Afghanistan meet, they discuss all issues of mutual concern. But I believe that you have asked these questions with yesterday’s incident in mind. I would, therefore, like to emphasize the need to wait for completion of the investigations. Question My question is on Charsadda attack. When Pathankot was attacked, India blamed Pakistan, saying that the terrorists had come from there. Now, Charsadda is attacked. It would be recalled that their Defence Minister had said that Pakistan will feel the same pain and the target will be of India's choice. If India is behind this attack, will Pakistan force Indian government to investigate this issue? (Ehtesham Kiyani - Roze TV) Answer I will not respond to hypothetical questions. We need to wait for completion of investigations, before blaming anyone. Question At the Pakistan-Russia Business Council, there was a discussion on South-North gas pipeline. There are reports that this project has run into snags because of American sanctions on the Russian Gas Company involved in the project. A related question is withdrawal of sanctions on Iran. How is it going to impact Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline? (Shahid Rehman - Kyodo) Answer With regard to your first question, let me point out that Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources of Pakistan is currently visiting Russia and all issues relating to cooperation in the field of energy, including the construction of South-North Gas pipeline, are on the agenda of his meetings in Moscow. I have already said that lifting of sanctions on Iran will offer opportunities to both countries to enhance their relations in all fields of mutual interests including trade. Question Is there any progress on sending of the high profile investigation team to Pathankot, especially with reference to comments of the Indian Defence Minister that the team would not be allowed to enter Pathankot airbase? (Mateen Haider - Dawn News) Answer Please contact Ministry of Interior for response to this question. Question There are some media reports that one of the Indian Consulates across the border had financed the attack on Bacha Khan University. Would this affect the forthcoming Pakistan-India Foreign Secretary level talks? (Fida Hussain- Dunya TV) Answer I will not comment on media reports. We need to wait for completion of investigations. Question Pakistan seems to be in a state of denial when it comes to ISIS. I think that ISIS has its tentacles inside Pakistan because attacks in Karachi, Gujranwala, Lahore and even the attack on ARY are all attributed to ISIS. What are Pakistan's latest findings regarding the presence of ISIS in Pakistan, especially regarding its operational capability? (Mohsin Raza - Such TV) Answer Our response to questions regarding presence of Daesh in Pakistan is well known and has been reiterated many times. Daesh does not have organized presence in Pakistan. We have seen media reports that some people claiming to be working for Daesh have been arrested. However, you may contact Ministry of Interior if you wish to know the details of investigations into the matter.