(2014-10-30) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] Opening Remarks First about the drone strike this morning, the Government of Pakistan condemns the US drone strike that took place on 0200 hours at Azam Warsak, South Waziristan on 30 October 2014. Pakistan has consistently maintained that such strikes are a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Government of Pakistan is itself taking decisive action against terrorist elements and therefore believes that such strikes are unnecessary and need to be stopped. I also want to update you on stranded Pakistanis in Libya recently a flight brought 180 Pakistanis. We have so far brought back 6680 Pakistanis. Out of this 3000 were evacuated by special fights and others were assisted earlier in leaving that country. Now approximately 360 destitute Pakistanis are left behind in the camps, established by our Embassy. They should be here in the next few days. Unfortunately two ailing Pakistanis died. Their dead bodies will be brought with the remaining persons soon. The floor is now open for Questions Question Just two days back US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan visited Pakistan and held meetings with military and political leadership and also held meetings at the Foreign Office. Did Pakistan convey its concerns regarding drones Strikes if yes please share details? (Mateen Haider, Dawn News) Answer As we have shared with you in the past, drone strikes and their impact is a subject that is part of our talking points in our engagements with the US from the head of Government level to the working level. Naturally, the United States has its own position which is not backed by international law and now the international public opinion. Question A few days back students at Islamic University arranged Israeli stall and projected Israeli products and literature which was followed by strong resentment. Is there any specific Pakistan-Israel policy in black and white and what are its salient features? Is it prohibited to take the name of Israel in electronic and print media? (Syed Mohsin Raza, Such TV) Answer We understand this was at a UN mock session. There is no legal framework prohibiting the mention of Israel’s name which is a member of the United Nations. As regards, this incident, the Islamic University had issued a Press Release. The University is taking action on the unauthorized act taken by some students. The event was stopped immediately by the University administration. They have informed that they are investigating this matter and action will be taken against those involved accordingly. Question How do you react to the report of International Crisis Group which states that the civilian Government of Pakistan will have to regain its control over security and foreign policy issues in order to improve its relations with Afghanistan?(Zarghoon Shah, Geo TV) Answer First, we do not give any credence to these baseless assumptions. Foreign policies are reflective of national interests. They are meant to promote national interests. The process of foreign policy making entails inputs from various institutions of the Government. Based on these inputs and vision of the political leadership foreign policy is formulated. Question During the last press briefing you mentioned that any Pakistani can come back at any time to Pakistan but it has been learnt that British Pakistani national Wilson Chaudhry has been banned from entering Pakistan during PPP’s regime. Your comments please. (Mr. Shamim, Daily Khabrain) Answer Sometimes governments can have restrictions on individuals who are involved in activities which are not consummate with the interest of the country. In such situation our Ministry of Interior would have ECL or Black List. I am not aware of this particular case of a British national. The reason for ban on him, if indeed it is true, would be known to Ministry of Interior. This action however, does not contradict what I said at the last briefing. I recall I said Pakistan belongs to Pakistanis and no extremists or terrorist group can tell any Pakistani not to come back in Pakistan. The authority to restrict travel is a legitimate authority of the State not non-state actors. Question India is planning to buy massive number of weapons and aircrafts. What is Pakistan’s stand on this? (Mr. Khwaja Nayyer Iqbal, Kashmir Post) Answer We have commented on this issue many times. We have repeatedly said that we do not want an arms race in South Asia, neither conventional and nor nuclear. We would expect that the international community will not contribute to creating further asymmetry in conventional weapon in South Asia. Of course, there is already asymmetry which should not be further aggravated. South Asia is a poor region. Countries of this region need to focus on economic uplift of their people rather than engaging in arms race. Question Indian violation on the Line of Control has again caused loss of civilian lives. What is stance of Foreign Office? (Syed Musharaf Kazmi, Daily Masawat) Answer There were two press releases issued yesterday on two different incidents for which Indian diplomats were summoned. In the first case, first secretary was summoned by Director India to protest unprovoked firing on the LoC in which 70 years old man was killed and in the second, the acting High Commissioner summoned by Director General (South Asia) to register protest over the killing of an inadvertent crosser in violation of Border Ground Rules. We also handed over protest note to Indian side in which we strongly condemned the incident and reminded them of their responsibility under bilateral understandings to protect civilians and their responsibility to maintain peace and tranquility on the Line of Control and the international border. We also recalled a number of pervious violations in which Pakistani civilians were killed. Question In order to pursue its policy of non-interference Pakistan requires other countries to stay away of its internal affairs. As all important countries in the region are due to attend Heart of Asia Conference in Beijing, is Pakistan going to raise this issue there? (Mr. Waqas Rafiq, Capital TV) Answer We strongly believe that stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of all the neighbors and the world at large. There are many processes which engage immediate regional countries and the countries which have troops in Afghanistan to develop understanding for stability and peace in Afghanistan. The Heart of Asia is one such process in which 14 countries are participating and this provides opportunity to engage. We adhere strictly to the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal matters. Pakistan has reiterated its policy of non-interference and we expect other countries would do the same. Question There are claims from the other side of the border that they are hosting 200,000 Pakistanis displaced by operation Zarb-i-Azb. Do we have an exact number of Pakistanis who crossed border to Afghanistan? If Afghanistan cannot host Pakistanis why Pakistan is hosting such a big number of Afghans?(Mr. Shaukat Piracha, AAJ TV) Answer The verified figure we have of Pakistanis who crossed the international border and went to Afghanistan after the onset of Waziristan Operation was 67,120. Of these, more than 38,000 came back within weeks. The remaining keep moving - because of the easement rights and because they have relatives on the other side. We would be very happy to know that Afghanistan is developing the capacity to look after large number of people. We have called upon the UNCHR, international community and the Afghan government to create the pull factor for the return of Afghan refugees who have been in Pakistan for decades. We still have more than 3 million Afghan Refugees. We would like them to return with honor and dignity and voluntarily basis. The agreement for stay of Afghan refugees ends at the 2015. We would like the UNHCR and international community to help Afghan government to create necessary environment inside Afghanistan so that these people can return. We have been encouraged by Afghanistan’s new leadership’s articulation of its priorities in which return of Afghan refugees has been identified as a major priority. Question Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister paid a formal visit to Islamabad mainly on border issues. How do you evaluate the outcome of the meetings? Secondly, is there any tangible result on the recent talks on the IP project? (Muhammad Manafi- IRNA) Answer: First I am sorry I do not agree with your description of the purpose of visit. The Deputy Foreign Minister’s visit was for bilateral consultations, the institutionalized consultations that take place between Pakistan and Iran. These were scheduled and they are part of our engagement at various levels between two countries. It was a very productive visit. We have already issued a press release on the contours of the discussions that took place between two sides. There was mutual agreement on taking multiple processes forward and the possibility of many visits in the near future, visits which are being planned and the need for enhancing our cooperation in economic field. The incidents that happened on the border and how to manage that border better were also discussed. We have a mechanism in the form of border commission and there was an agreement that there should be focal points at different levels so that whenever some incident is occurring, two sides can immediately contact each other. Question: There are recent reports that Pakistan has asked Iran to either withdraw the fine on IP gas pipeline project or extend the deadline. Your comments please. (Shabbir Waghra- PTV World) Answer Well, pipeline project and other projects were also discussed in the political consultations. There was commitment from both sides to this project. There was also a visit by the Minister of Petroleum to Iran. We understand that he had very good discussions. I would request you to contact him or the Ministry of Petroleum for details. Question There is an APEC summit in China and before that there will be a regional meeting of countries. India has also been invited to that. I understand that PM Nawaz Shareef will be representing Pakistan in the regional summit. Do we know who is coming from India and is there any possibility of a sideline meeting? (shahid-ur-Rehman – Keyodo News) Answer Well, who is representing is a question that should be addressed to the Indian Ministry of External Affair. The Prime Minister is likely to attend. Question Is there any track-II diplomacy going on between Pakistan and India? At the same time, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi has said that Pakistan will not initiate any dialogue with India. Your comments please. ( Abid-ATV) Answer What SAPM would have said was that since India canceled the scheduled Foreign Secretary level talks, now, the onus is on India. Secondly, track-II is about non-governmental dialogue. There are many forums in which Pakistani and Indian, people from the private sectors and think-tanks come together and that process continues. Question Related to Bangladesh, another Jammat-e-Islami leader has been sentenced to death by the special tribunal in Dhaka definitely in connection with 1971 war. We need your comment on this that why this is happening. Pakistan has been quite silent on this. Would Pakistan launch a protest with Bangladeshi authorities? (Mateen Haider-Dawn News) Answer We are mindful of the developments in Bangladesh. While we do not comment on the internal matters in other countries, we have noted the comments and reports of international community and the human rights organizations about the trial processes. Question Yesterday, there were some reports in Pakistani media that Iranian Ambassador along with some Pakistani religious and Political leaders and have threats in the month of Moharram from terrorists. (Muhammad Manafi-IRNA). (The report quoted the Ministry of Interior that they have reports that these people could be target- Mateen Haider- Dawn News) Answer As we repeatedly say safety and security of diplomats in Pakistan is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan. The Ministry of Interior keeps a tab on all such activities that could jeopardize the security and safety of diplomats in Pakistan and exercises vigilance. It is our responsibility and we take it seriously. I am not aware whether the Ministry of Interior has come with something but normally the procedure is if they have such reports they are conveyed through our Protocol Division to the concerned diplomats and simultaneously to the security agencies which enhance measures that are in place for safety and security of diplomats. **********************