(2015-11-26) [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 - What is the agenda of the visit of Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Defence Minister, to the US? - Your comments on the shooting of Russian aircraft by Turkey. - Your comments on Prime Minister's visit to Malta to attend CHOGM. (Fida Hussain- Radio News Network) Answer - Please contact Spokesperson of Ministry of Defence/Water and Power for agenda of the Minister's visit to the US. - Pakistan is closely following the developments surrounding the downing of the Russian military jet on 24 November 2015. We are concerned over the escalation of tensions in the region and urge all concerned to exercise utmost restraint and resolve the issue peacefully through dialogue. - A press release was issued yesterday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Prime Minister's visit to Malta to participate in the Commonwealth of Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). It is available on the Ministry's website. Question There was a report in a newspaper a few days ago, quoting informed sources that before embarking on his visit to the US, the Prime Minister had decided to cancel the visit due to certain concerns shown by the US Administration on Pakistan's nuclear program and, prior to the visit, when a joint communique pertaining to the visit was shown to the Prime Minister, he expressed certain reservations over the US position on Pakistan's nuclear program. Is it true? And if so, has the US removed Pakistan's reservations concerning the nuclear program? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer Before a high-level visit, it is normal practice for the sides to engage on various issues in the bilateral context. Draft joint statement/communique is also subjected to the same process of bilateral consultations and its contents are negotiated. Each side has its own priorities and, in the process of negotiations, they reach a stage where the text is acceptable to both sides. This is what happened in the context of various issues that were discussed prior to and during the Prime Minister's visit to the US. The reality is that the visit has taken place and a very detailed Joint Statement was issued during the visit, addressing all issues of interest to both sides. Let me add that, as far as nuclear issues are concerned, statements about our position were issued by the Ministry and members of our delegation in Washington prior to the visit. I do not wish to repeat them. You must have noticed that a section of the Joint Statement issued during the Prime Minister's visit to the US deals with nuclear issues including strategic stability, nuclear security and non-proliferation. Question There is an increase in hate crimes against Muslims in European countries. Similarly, in India the status of minorities, particularly Muslims, is under threat. What is Pakistan's position on this issue? (Khawaja Nayyer Iqbal- Kashmir Post) Answer We talked about similar issues in the last briefing. I agree that hate crimes against Muslims have soared in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Europe. We have always stressed the need for tolerance and interfaith harmony. Acts of terrorism committed in the name of Islam cannot be blamed on Muslims. Islam advocates peace and brotherhood. Terrorists have no religion. No one should be targeted on the basis of religion. The focus must remain on targeting terrorists. We have already expressed our concern on activities of extremist and fundamentalist groups and organizations in India. Question The Foreign Office has come under severe criticism over the executions in Bangladesh even in Parliament that the Bangladeshi High Commissioner was not summoned and protest was not lodged. Will any protest be lodged? (Naveed Saddique- SAMAA News) Supplementary Question In the past, when such executions took place in Bangladesh the Foreign Office declared it an internal issue of Bangladesh. But now you have expressed concern over the executions. Does our policy on Bangladesh fluctuate with our relations with India? (Bashir Chaudhry- Channel 24) Answer Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoy brotherly relations and share historic bonds. Our concern over the developments there are in that light. Our relations are independent of influence of any other country and do not depend on the state of Pakistan's relations with any third country. In our statement issued on 22 November 2015, we emphasized the need for reconciliation in Bangladesh in accordance with the spirit of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh Agreement of 9 April 1974, which calls for a forward looking approach in matters relating to 1971. This would foster goodwill and harmony. We have emphasized this earlier as well. We have also expressed concern in the past with regard to developments in Bangladesh relating to events of 1971. You must have noticed discussion in the Parliament on this issue. Let me reiterate that Pakistan has noted the demarche given to our High Commissioner in Dhaka and the press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. These have several elements which warrant a response. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would call in the Bangladesh High Commissioner to respond to these points. Question You might have noted the reports about India's possible membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Pakistan has been calling for non-discriminatory treatment with regard to nuclear issues in South Asia. What is Pakistan's stance on this particular issue? (Shaukat Paracha- Aaj TV) Answer We have consistently stated that NSG should follow an objective, equitable and non-discriminatory approach for admitting new members. Grant of exclusive NSG membership to India as an exception, on account of political and commercial considerations, would adversely affect the credibility of non-proliferation regime. It would also bear negative implications for regional peace and security. Pakistan, therefore, welcomes the recent remarks made by the NSG chair, Ambassador Rafael Grossi, widely reported in India during his visit last month, wherein he ruled out a "tailor made India-specific solution" for NSG membership. The Ministry and all our diplomatic Missions accredited to the 48-NSG member states, continue to actively brief their interlocutors about our strong credentials for NSG membership. In this regard, upon Pakistan's formal request, the NSG Chair circulated a document amongst all NSG members elaborating our point of view. A high-level Pakistani delegation also held a constructive meeting with NSG Troika in Vienna. Pakistan, therefore, will continue to call for the adoption of a non-discriminatory and objective criteria-based approach on expansion of NSG membership for non-NPT countries. Question I have two questions. Firstly, I would like to have your comments about the Pakhtoon political leaders' visit to Kabul. Whether the Government of Pakistan has sent a delegation with a message or they are visiting in their own capacity? Secondly, a few days back several dead bodies were brought to Pakistan from Afghanistan. I would like to know the reaction of the Foreign Office on this. (Riaz- Mishaal Radio) Supplementary Question There are reports that a senior Taliban commander was killed in Afghanistan in a drone strike. Do you have any information regarding this? (Kamran Haider- Bloomberg) Answer We encourage contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan at all levels, as we believe that they are helpful in bringing the two countries closer. We have seen media reports about some dead bodies having been brought to Pakistan from Afghanistan recently. However, veracity of these reports has to be checked. Afghan Government has not approached Pakistan Government in this regard. I have no comment with regard to the supplementary question, relating to a Taliban commander. Question We have been negotiating extension of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) and similarly a new aid package. Are the visits of Army Chief and Defence Minister part of that effort? (Shahid- Japanese News Agency) Answer Pakistan and the United States enjoy close relations and cooperation in a number of fields including defence. Exchange of high-level visits takes place frequently between the two countries. All issues of mutual interest are discussed during such visits. Question What is Pakistan's position in the context of Muslim countries' response to the shooting of Russian aircraft by Turkey? (Zaheer Ali Khan- Such TV) Answer I have already responded to a similar question. Question Have any fresh efforts for resumption of Pakistan-India dialogue been made by either side? (Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer Our position on dialogue with India is very clear. Let me reiterate that we remain ready to discuss all outstanding issues with India including Kashmir, if no pre-conditions are attached by India. Question Nawab Jahangir Khan, Nawab of Junagadh, is visiting Pakistan. Addressing a program recently, he said that Foreign Office's role on Junagadh has been highly disappointing. In all, two or three resolutions were passed and these too due to his personal efforts. He also called for separate cases for Kashmir and Junagadh. What is your response to these statements? (Anwar Abbas- Waqat News) Answer We stand for resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN resolutions