(2015-01-22) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] The floor is open for Questions Question Do you have anything to tell us on Federal Minister Statement who publicly denounced Saudi Arabia for having destructive effect on Pakistan through money transfers? Secondly, would you please share information on status of JuD and Haqqani Network because numbers of our external partners are taking interest in this subject? We know it is the subject of the Ministry of Interior but anything you can tell us? (Farhan Bukhari-) Answer First, about the Minister’s statement, I am sure you have seen the statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office and also the clarification given by the Minister that he was quoted out of context. I don’t think I need to add anything to the Prime Minister’s statement. About the second question, you are right it primarily relates to the Ministry of Interior. JuD and some other organizations are listed by the United Nations. Pakistan, as a member of the United Nations is under obligations to proscribe the entities and individuals that are listed. We take our obligations very seriously and try to meet these obligations scrupulously. Once any individuals and organizations are proscribed by the UN, we are required to freeze their assets and enforce travel restrictions. We take that action. Bank accounts of such entities and individuals are frozen after SRO is issued. You can check the details of what exactly the recent actions mean with NACTA or Ministry of Interior. Question Today one of newspapers in its editorial has said that Pakistan is a proxy battle field for Iran and Saudi Arabia. Your comments, please. (Sheraz Asghar-IRNA) Answer I do not comment on newspaper reports. Question In a follow up of question on banning JuD, is it because of the pressure by the US Secretary of the State John Kerry who visited Pakistan and met with the leadership that Pakistan is banning these organizations? As the Prime Minister has cancelled his visit to Switzerland who is representing Pakistan from Foreign Office or Ministry of Finance instead of PM? (Mateen Haider-Dawn News) Answer I am not aware of anyone else participating in the Davos conference. Prime Minister’s participation was at the leadership level events. As regards your other question, the National Action Plan has been under discussion, it had nothing to do with the visit by the US Secretary of State. Pakistan is taking these steps for its own sake for the protection of its own people and to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan once and for all. Question President Barack Obama is visiting India next week what is Pakistan expectation regarding the peace efforts? According to media reports the US has firmly asked Pakistan not to unleash any terror incident like Chittisingpura during the upcoming visit of President Obama. Has such communication being received if yes in what context? Does it mean there can be a terrorist attack after the US President’s visit?(Shaukat Paracha -Aaj TV) Answer First on President Obama’s Visit, we do not comment on bilateral relations between other countries. As a global power and a power that is very much engaged with this region and is interested in peace and stability, we expect that the US President would take up the issue of recent escalation by India on the Line of Control and the working boundary in which many innocent Pakistanis and Kashmiris have been martyred. At a time when Pakistan is in a midst of a very robust and broad operation against terrorists in North Waziristan this kind of distraction can only mean one thing that there are people who would not like to see Pakistan succeed and that is not in the interest of any one, that is not in the interest of US, India and the International Community. As regards the Indian media reports, I would not like to give credibility to these reports by commenting on them. Certain aspects of these reports are quite comical like Pakistan should not launch any attack like Chittisinghpura on the occasion of President Obama’s visit. I would remind that it was claimed on occasion of US President Clinton’s visit that Pakistani terrorists infiltrated and killed Sikhs in Chittisinghpura in Indian occupied Kashmir. An independent commission formed subsequently at the insistence of Sikh community investigated the incident and concluded that the so called terrorists from Pakistan were five Kashmiris youth who were picked up from homes, shot and their bodies were burnt and then buried. This was done by the Indian security forces just to create a specter of terrorism on the eve of US President’s visit. Is this the kind of attack India media is talking about? Question US President Barack Obama in his State of the Union Address said that terrorists were targeting people from Pakistan to Paris and pledge to use unilateral military force. Your comments, please. (Khawaja Nayer Iqbal-Kashmir Post) Answer This is not a new concept. It has been stated by the previous US Administrations as well. Our position is very clear that all counter-terrorism efforts have to be within the parameters of international law. Success can only be achieved through mutual cooperation between and among members of the international community and respect for each other’s concerns and sensitivities. We appreciate President Obama’s statement that that US stands united with people around the world who have been targeted by terrorists including Pakistan. Question It has been reported that a Syrian origin has been arrested in Pakistan belonging to IS. What are the circumstances leading to this arrest and what measures need to be taken? (Syed Mohsin Raza -Such TV) Answer) This question may please be addressed to Ministry of Interior and FIA. We are alert to the threat of IS. As we have been saying that our counter terrorism operations are across the board and against all terrorists. Question Is any UN team visiting Pakistan to see actions being taking to contain the presence of IS as some American diplomats have been also commenting about the UN team’s visit? (Waqas Rafique - Capital TV) Answer The United Nation has been very active in counter terrorism efforts. The UN Security Council adopted a number of resolutions covering various aspects of terrorism and requiring measures by the members of the international community to curb and eradicate terrorism. The UN mechanisms created through these resolutions, hold regular consultations with member states and as a member of international community Pakistan is also involved in these consultations. There is no such visit that is to see what we are doing against threat of IS. It is engagement/consultations between the United Nations and Pakistan. I don’t think US has anything to do with it and I don’t think the diplomats should be making any statement on that if indeed they have made any. Question I need your comments on the alleged arrest of Pakistani Chief of IS Mr. Yousaf Salfi. (Anwar -Waqat News) Answer I have already responded to this question. Question What is the stance of Foreign Office on caricatures of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)? According to reports four Muslims villagers were burnt alive in India. What is your comment on that? (Syed Mushraff Kazmi-Daily Musawat) Answer About caricatures, you would have seen our press release condemning the publication. Before that the President and Prime Minister condemned it in very strong terms. The Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs addressed a letter to the Secretary General of the OIC asking him to initiate measures on behalf of OIC and Islamic world to criminalize publication of caricatures and cartoons. They hurt the sentiments of 1.7 billion Muslims worldwide. And freedom of expression is not unlimited as we have seen in the case of holocaust. Questioning any aspect of an event invokes criminal law. If it can happen in case of a historical event why can’t it happen in case of Muslims where the most sacred personality of Islam is attacked and Muslims feel insulted and humiliated? The Speaker of National Assembly who was in Turkey to attend the Muslims Parliamentarians meeting spearheaded a resolution condemning the publication. In Geneva also, our permanent representative, who chairs the OIC Contact Group, met with the UN Commissioner for Human Rights and brought to his notice the feelings and sentiments of Muslims on behalf of OIC. We do not condone violence, we condemned the attack on Charlie Hebdo. At the same time, we condemn in the strongest terms any effort and any action that tries to malign the most sacred personality of Islam and hurts the sentiments of Muslims. Secondly, we have seen the reports that four Muslims were burnt in India. Violent incidents motivated by religion, irrespective of where they occur, are shocking and flagrant violation of basic human rights. We note with concern the rise of such violence against Muslims in India. It is our hope that the Indian government would take stern action against the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. Question Former Afghan President Hamad Karzai once again started bashing Pakistan, yesterday he accused Pakistan of using terror as a policy to against Afghanistan and he also stated that Pakistan is conspiring to occupy Afghanistan in wake of US and Nato withdrawal. Your comments please. (Zarghoon Shah - Geo TV) Answer We have consistently maintained that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest. We have established a very cooperative relationship with the Afghan Government. We have developed mutual understanding and trust. We are closely cooperating and consulting each other on counter terrorism operation. I have no comments on the statement of the former Afghan President. Question There is some information from Baghdad that Pakistanis are not being facilitated by the Pakistan Embassy in Baghdad and they are being expelled from Kurdistan. They are not getting visa renewal and they are facing numerous problems. They have mailed this several times to many papers and news channels. Do you have any information about that? (Shahid Rana-ARY News) Answer I don't have any information. I will check and will get back to you. This should not be the case. Question I wish to know about what are the further developments in the dispute between PIA and Government of India regarding their land acquisition issues? (Muddssir – Khyber News) Answer PIA acquired some property in 2005. But recently, On 24th November, 2014, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) served a notice on PIA office in New Delhi, stating that the property purchased by PIA in 2005 violated the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), which prohibited nine countries' citizens, including Pakistan, from acquiring properties on ownership basis without prior permission of RBI and that PIA should dispose-off the property within six months. The notice was followed by summons on 2 January 2015 from the Enforcement Directorate, Ministry of Finance of India. The PIA office clarified that prior to purchasing the property located at Flats 519-520, Narain Manzil, 23 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi, they had fulfilled all the formalities including, seeking permission of RBI, and that subsequently the property was transferred in PIA’s name and was duly registered with Indian authorities concerned. Nevertheless, PIA office consulted a local legal expert and submitted its response on 16.01.2015 to RBI with copy to Enforcement Directorate of India. The issue has also been taken up by our Mission and this Ministry with MEA and Indian High Commission, respectively. A separate issue faced by 2-member PIA Staff in New Delhi is that their visas, which expired last week, have not been renewed. The Mission has taken up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs, who have promised to resolve the issue of visas. Question Our neighbouring countries are stuck in the past. They indulge in blame game against Pakistan, I am not talking about the Foreign Ministry of Afghanistan, but some segments in Afghanistan are blaming Pakistan as they have blamed in the past. Now, when the policy of Pakistan has absolutely changed, what strategy Foreign Office is adopting to change the paradigm in the region about Pakistan? (Imdad Hussian- Online) Answer I would not agree with your statement that all neighbours are indulging in blame game. Pakistan has excellent relations with Iran, we have excellent relations with China, we have also been able to consolidate our relations with Afghanistan and build good understanding and trust. The two countries are in close contact and are coordinating in counter terrorism efforts. There are also robust efforts to promote trade, people to people contacts and to develop relationship across the board. There may be some statements, but overall there is no systematic campaign. Hence, I would not agree that all of our neighbours are indulging in blame-game. Question As you mentioned earlier that Jammat ud Dawa is under the UN proscribed list of banned organizations. My question is regarding Haqqani Network as some newspapers and TV channels reported that Haqqani Network is also banned or proscribed by Pakistan. Are you confirming this? (Riaz- Mashal Radio) Answer Well, as I clarified that when any entity or individual is proscribed by UN, we take immediate action. As regards national action or any other subsequent actions to ensure full implementation, that is the domain of the Ministry of Interior and NACTA. Please take this question to them. Question My first question is that there was a report in Dunya Newspaper that an office of an American NGO has been sealed due to anti-Pakistan activities. What are more details on this matter? Has Pakistan raised this matter with the American embassy? My second question is that in whole world, huge revenues are earned through tourism. Pakistan is also considered a part of those countries which have numerous tourism opportunities, especially adventure tourism as there are eigth thousand plus mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan region. In spite of this, when tourists from other countries want to visit Pakistan they face difficulties in getting visas. What steps are being taken by the Foreign Office to resolve this matter? (Fida Hussain- FM99) Answer I don’t know from where you got this information. Every year, many mountaineers come to Pakistan. Visa has not been a problem for them and they are facilitated. Secondly, about tourism, I agree with you that Pakistan has one of the most beautiful locations for tourism. We, obviously, need to develop the infrastructure. Some of it has been done. There are other requirements that go with promoting tourism we would be able to focus on it more once we are through with this most active phase of counter-terrorism operation. As regards your first question further progress will be available with the law enforcement agencies. We have also seen the reports. There is a procedure in place for any INGO that may be interested in undertaking activities in Pakistan. The INGOs are required to apply indicating the specific area/field they specialize in. After completing the necessary procedures, the EAD signs a contract with the INGO for a specific period. On the basis of which they are allowed to engage in the activities and projects in the social or economic sectors. Sometimes, what happens is that some INGOs violate their mandate and if they are found to be indulging in activities which are beyond their mandate or which are anti-Pakistan, then the government of Pakistan has the right to close their shop and tell them to leave. ******************