(2015-02-26) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] Opening Remarks: On the invitation of Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdyldaev Erlan Bekeshovich, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, is visiting Islamabad today. He will be accompanied by senior officials of the Kyrgyz Foreign Office. The two sides will exchange views on bilateral relations, regional and international issues of mutual concern. The Foreign Minister will have delegation-level talks with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs and pay a courtesy call on the President. The second issue I want to speak about is the story in The Daily Times of 19th February 2015, attributing a statement to a Pakistani official in New York that during the visit of the High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, it was conveyed that Pakistan would not assign additional troops to the United Nations Peacekeeping missions due to Pakistan’s extensive and intensive engagements at home. This report is not correct. Pakistan’s role in peacekeeping is underpinned by national consensus and is an integral part of its foreign policy. Pakistan’s commitment to UN efforts for maintenance of international peace and security is manifested through its substantive contributions to peacekeeping for over five decades. Since 1960, nearly 154,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have made important contributions towards peace, security and stability in 42 UN peacekeeping operations in 24 countries across the globe. We take pride in having contributed to some of the most notable successes of UN peacekeeping and peace building, from Sierra Leone to Timor-Leste, to Burundi and Liberia. Over 140 Pakistani peacekeepers have so far laid down their lives advancing the cause of world peace. Pakistan has and will continue to maintain its strong commitment and tangible contributions to United Nations Peacekeeping operations. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon established a 14 member High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, headed by, former President of Timor Leste, Jose Ramos Horta to carry out a comprehensive review of the UN peacekeeping operations and the UN special political missions. The Panel is currently carrying out consultations with all relevant stakeholders in context of the review. The visit of the Panel members to Pakistan in the first week of February 2015 was part of this consultation process. During the visit, the Panel had very fruitful and productive discussions on the issues under its purview at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense as well as at the Pakistan Army General Headquarters, Rawalpindi. In all these interactions, Pakistan conveyed its strong and unequivocal commitment to UN peacekeeping as well as its desire to continue contributing peacekeepers to the UN peacekeeping missions. Questions from the floor Question: Indian Foreign Secretary is coming to Pakistan for talks. What specific issues would be discussed during the talks? What are your comments on the Indian Foreign Office statement that Jammu and Kashmir will be discussed in the context of Simla Agreement? (Shaukat Paracha-Aaj TV) Answer: You would recall that at the last briefing, in response to a similar, we confirmed that the Indian Prime Minister, during his telephone call to the Prime Minister on 13 February, informed about his intention to send his Foreign Secretary to Pakistan. We welcomed the Indian initiative. Subsequently, we confirmed the visit dates. He will arrive here on 3rd March 2015. He will meet the Foreign Secretary. I would not like to speculate at this stage what exactly would be the agenda of the talks. However, whenever Pakistan India dialogue resumes, we expect that all matters would on the table for discussion including Jammu & Kashmir dispute, Siachin, water issues, confidence building measures, people to people contacts, trade matters. Jammu and Kashmir is on the UN Security Council agenda. In the Simla Agreement, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the UN Charter principles. We have been discussing the Kashmir issue bilaterally. The process, however, has to be result oriented. Question: There are media reports that an officer of Commerce and Trade group is being appointed as High Commission of Pakistan to Canada. In the Past, attempts were made to appoint other cadre officers as Ambassadors of Pakistan to some countries, but unsuccessful. What are your views on the appointments of non professionals in the professional/specialized cadres of Foreign Service of Pakistan? (Shaukat Paracha-Aaj TV) What legal measures the officers of the Ministry are contemplating if such an appointment takes place (Riaz Burki, PTV) Answer: I do not have any official confirmation of appointment of an officer of Commerce and Trade group as High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada. As regards the appointment of officers from one cadre to another cadre, particularly in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this Ministry is a specialized cadre, with Missions abroad as its field offices. Ambassadorial assignments naturally require experience of diplomacy, which professional diplomats acquire over the decades. About the second question, I do not think this is the right forum to discuss this matter further. Question: Is Indian Foreign Secretary during his forthcoming visit will also call on the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Adviser of the Prime Minister to the National Security and Foreign Affairs?(Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer: I do not have any information at the moment to share with you. Question: PIA resident Manager at Dhaka was expelled from Bangladesh. What are allegations against him? (Farhat Javed – Geo News) Answer: Our High Commission in Dhaka has taken up the matter with the Bangladesh Foreign Office. We await their explanation and response. This indeed is an unfortunate development. Question: Some anti Pakistan lobbies in US Congress are making efforts to condition Pakistan’s Aid with release of Dr. Shakeel Afridi? Can these efforts would affect Pak-US bilateral relationship? (Mohsin Raza- Such TV) Answer: The Obama Administration has given its budgetary proposals to the Congress. We understand that the total assistance for Pakistan proposed in the State Department budget is $803.8 million. It includes assistance requests for economic, security and other areas. It may be noted that these numbers only form the budget request by the Administration and relation to fiscal 2015-16. The US fiscal year begins on 1 October. As the next step, the Congress will hold budget hearings to assess Administration’s policy and programs. Congressional appropriations and authorization bills will be enacted and the Congress can make changes in the Administration’s budget request. The process can take many months. Pakistan plays a key role in the efforts against terrorism which is something that has been acknowledged by the international community. We believe that our friends, including the US, provide the necessary support required for Pakistan to continue to play this central role in an effective manner. Question: Recently China and Russia have supported Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism which is a proposed UN resolution sponsored by India. What is Pakistan’s position on it? (Waqas Rasheed – Capital TV) Answer: I think you are referring to the draft Convention on International Terrorism. Numerous meetings of the UN General assembly Sixth Committee have been held on the draft convention. Negotiations and discussions have remained inclusive. There is lack of agreement on some of the key issues and provisions. Such important issues require consensus. We remain actively engaged in the process, along with other member states, particularly the OIC Group, which has important position on the subject. Question: Recently, an Afghan delegation, headed by Gubadin Hikmat Yar’s son visited Banni Gala and met Iran khan. What is the official stance of government of Pakistan on the visit of such Afghans who are considered anti-government in Kabul and will this not affect the warm relations between Islamabad and Kabul?(Muddaisar Hussian-Khyber News) Answer: Well, States and various segments of society engage at various levels. This is particularly true in case of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is something that governments understand. A number of Pakistani political figures who are not in the government also visit and interact in Afghanistan. Similarly, a number of Afghans who may not be part of the government visit Pakistan and they have interaction with our political personalities. Question: My question is that Chairman Senate Nayyer Hussainn Bukhari is on the visit of Syria for three days. First of all, kindly confirm it whether it is an official visit or he went there on his own capacity. Secondly, if it is an official visit, what was the agenda of his visit at this point of time when Syria is in a civil war?(saima shabbir –Aljazeera Tv) Answer: Chairman Senate, along with a Senate delegation is on official visit to Syria and Iraq. We have diplomatic relations and official interactions with these countries. As for the agenda of the visit, it is parliamentary interaction. Question: There have been more than 700 deaths due to Swine Flu in India. It is also being said that this virus can also spread to Pakistan. What precautionary measures Pakistan is taking on its part? (Khwaja Nayyar Iqbal- Kashmir Post) Answer: Please approach the Ministry of National Health Services for information about the precautionary measures being taken in this regard. Question: Whether the issue of opening the Kargil- Ladakh road would be discussed in the secretary level talk between Pakistan and India? My second question is regarding the tourism conference in Berlin, in spite of giving the representation to the people related with the tourism industry government officers of the rank of secretary are going to attend this conference. There are also reports that Foreign Office has issued an NOC to the wife of the chief secretary Gilgit-Baltistan that she can go with the official delegation. (Fida Hussian-Radio FM 99) Answer: Kindly do not get take names here. Please approach the Ministry of Tourism to find out the composition of the delegation. Secondly, I have responded to questions about the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary,. I have nothing more to say at this stage. Question: There have been reports behind the scene, initial contacts between the Afghan Taliban and Afghan Government. Keeping in view these reports, it was also reported that Pakistan was also in loop and Pakistan also is facilitating this reconciliation process. Would you like to comment on this that what is the role of Pakistan in initial contacts which have taken place between Afghan Taliban and Afghan government. An Afghan delegation also visited Beijing and Beijing has also taken Pakistan into confidence? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer: There have been number of reports regarding the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s perspective on this matter is very clear. We welcome the prospects of peace-talks between the Afghan Government and the Taliban. Pakistan has always supported and will continue to facilitate an Afghan-led, Afghan owned reconciliation peace process in every possible way. Question: Madam I would like to have your position on current unrest in Syria whether it is as civil war or war against terrorism? (Mnaafi _Irna) Answer: I would not get into categorization of the situation. What I can do is underline our desire to see end of violence and return of peace and stability in Syria. Question: I would like to know that ISIS Amir Mullah Abu Bakr appointed Hafiz Saeed Khan as a country amir for Pakistan. Now what is the status of ISIS in Pakistan? (Changiz Khan Jaddon-Daily Sarkar) Answer: There have been speculations. You would recall that this question has been asked in the past as well. The Interior Minister and the Army Chief have clarified the situation. There are two aspects, one do we find any footprints of ISIS in Pakistan? Even if there is no footprint, we are alert to the danger and would take all appropriate measures to ensure that ISIS is not able to establish any foothold in Pakistan. In the first context, you would recall the issue of wall chalking in certain cities and some detentions and investigation. You may like to check the status of investigations from the Ministry of Interior. As we have been stating repeatedly, Pakistan’s counter-terrorism operations are across the board against all terrorists. *********************