(2017-08-31) Opening Remarks Bismillah IrRehman NirRahim! Assalaam Alaikum Friends, Ladies & Gentlemen Last few days have seen a number of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan in which precious lives of innocent people have been lost. We strongly condemn the terrorists, sympathize with the bereaved families and pray for the victims. The recent floods have devastated Houston, where we have a large presence of our community. While our Community members are also affected, we take pride in mentioning that they not only helped themselves but our Community also participated, both with cash and in kind, in the relief efforts of the state for other affected communities there. Our Mission has been active in supervising and supporting the Community's efforts. The CG has been personally visiting the relief and shelter points. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the natural disaster, named Harvey, in Houston. As we all prepare to celebrate the sacred occasion of Eid Ul Azha, our oppressed brothers and sisters in Indian occupied Kashmir continue to be brutalized. The Indian occupation forces, in their effort to suppress the indigenous legitimate Kashmiri movement for self-determination have martyred four Kashmiris in Hanin, Bandipore and Pulwama areas. Over forty defenseless Kashmiris were injured after Indian forces used brute force and barged into the Kashmiris' houses in Pulwama, Pampore, Shopin, Srinagar, and Hajin areas. We strongly condemn these brutal acts of the Indian forces in IoK and urge the UN and Int'l Community to hold India accountable for these crimes against innocent civilians. We remain seriously concerned over continued illegal detention of senior Hurriyet leader Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Massrat Alam Bhat, Aasiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi and other hundreds of Hurriyet leaders, activists and students on trumped up charges as they languish in different jails in occupied Kashmir and in India. On 30th August (yesterday), which is observed as international day of disappeared persons, peaceful protest was held at Pratap park Srinagar by the families and relatives of disappeared Kashmiris (around 8'000)' who were either taken away by the Indian forces or were killed in fake encounters and buried in those thousands of unnamed and unmarked mass graves, some of those graves were discovered in 2009. Protest was led by Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) chairperson Parveena Ahangar. While I wish Eid Mubarak to all of you, we all pray for relief of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters and end to their bloodshed by Indian occupation forces! Now the Floor is open for Questions Question Since the announcement of Trump's Afghan and South Asia policy and US demands on Pakistan to do more, has there been any high-level contact made between Washington and Islamabad? We also heard that Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif was going to visit US. Secondly, as you know that letter has been leaked by former Pakistani High Commissioner to India addressed to Pakistan's current Ambassador to US. Has Foreign Office order a probe or investigations into the matter? (Mateen Haider - Bol News) Supplementary Questions You have informed that Envoys Conference is taking place on 5-7 September. Is it in the bacdrop of US's recetnly policy for this region? Please share details in this regard! (Essa Naqvi - Dunya News) US Commander General John Nicholson has referred to Shuras of Afghan Taliban in Pakistan. He indicated some consultation going on between the two countries. Can you comment and confirm contacts? (Tariq Mahmood - SAMAA TV) Answer With regard to Mr. Mateen Haider's question, we have longstanding relations with the US and diplomatic channels are meant for interactions. However, I am not aware of any high-level contacts between US and Pakistan at this point in time. As for your question regarding the letter, it is unfortunate that a letter written by one Ambassador was deliberately leaked to the media. In the current times, when we face many internal and external challenges, the media should pay least attention to these unnecessary distractions. We should not allow our detractors to use any opportunity to malign Pakistan. On your question of Foreign Minister's visit to US, Pakistan is undertaking internal deliberations among all stakeholders as evident from the deliberations in the Parliament and discussions in the National Security Committee. The Foreign Minister intends to share Pakistan's perspective on the elements of President Trump's statement and other bilateral issues during his future interaction with the US leadership. Responding to Mr. Essa Naqvi's question, the Envoy's Conference is scheduled to be held on 5-7 September, 2017. Selected Ambassadors of Pakistan will participate in the Conference. Concluding session of the Conference will be chaired by the Prime Minister. Some important foreign policy issues will be brainstormed in the Conference. The Foreign Minister soon after assuming charge decided to hold Envoy's Conference with a view to evaluate Pakistan's potential strengths and to examine policy choices in the view of the evolving geopolitical and regional situation. This is one of the regular Envoy's Conferences that are traditionally held at MOFA. Regarding Mr. Tariq Mahmood question, Pakistan has strongly rejected all allegations and insinuations regarding the presence of any safe havens of terrorists inside Pakistan. US Gen Nicholson remarks, therefore, are highly unwarranted and unacceptable. While rejecting the baseless US assertions in this context, the National Security Committee (NSC) in its statement of 24 August expressed Pakistan's concerns about the presence of sanctuaries / safe havens inside Afghanistan from where anti-Pakistan elements, particularly India, continue to operate against Pakistan. Demanding the elimination of these sanctuaries in Afghanistan, Pakistan has expressed willingness to engage with both the US and Afghan authorities. Question Have you taken up the issue of HR violations in IoK with the EU? (Sheeba Mahar - Daily SAMAA) Answer We have drawn attention of our interlocutors from the European Union to the human rights violations being suffered by the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who are facing arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, killings, injuries, torture and blinding of eyes by Indian pellet guns. Youth, women and children are particularly facing persecution. As EU is willing to take up any issue relating to human rights violations in the world, the Kashmiris expect EU to take up with India the issue of its blatant repression in IoK. EU has not pronounced itself on the grave and widespread human rights violations taking place in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Question The FCO 2016 Report on Human Rights did not mention human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IoK). Wouldn't you call this Western double-standard at work in that so-called oldest democracy and defenders of human rights? (Amjad Ali - PTV News) Answer The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Report has avoided calling India to account for horrendous human rights violations perpetrated by its forces in Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Since July 2016 till to-date, the grave human rights situation has figured prominently and regularly in social media and made headlines in electronic and print media all over the world. The statistics of those violations, which continue unabated, has sent shock waves across the globe. More than 160 unprotected Kashmiris, mostly young men and women, have been killed by the Indian occupation forces in IoK. More than 7000 are victims of pellet gun shots including those over 70 who have been completely blinded, around 200 have partially lost their eye-sight and almost a thousand are at the verge of losing their vision. Around 20,000 have been injured and fate of thousands of Kashmiris arrested is not known. Kashmiris were denied freedom of religion. For 7 consecutive weeks they were not allowed to offer Friday prayers. We have taken up the issue of human rights violations in IoK at the hands of Indian occupation forces with the British Government. We hope that British Parliamentarians of Kashmiri origin, Kashmiri Diaspora along with Pakistani Diaspora and Friends of Kashmiri cause would raise this with FCO. Question Isn't new Trump policy only looking for a military solution to the Afghan problem for now? Lack of way forward in Afghan policy is conspicuously missing. Your comments! (Mona Khan - Geo News) Answer Pakistan's position on this issue is very clear and consistent. As enunciated by the National Security Committee's statement issued on 24 August, Pakistan believes that there is no military solution to the complex Afghan conflict. This is a lesson discernable from the long history of Afghanistan. Pakistan has instead advocated for an Afghan led and Afghan owned political solution which in our estimation offers the best prospects of peace in the region. Until all the stake holders pursue a viable and workable political settlement, the region will continue to suffer from instability. Also, I would like to state that the Afghan war cannot be fought on Pakistani soil. Question Indian Army Chief with reference to CPEC has violated UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir by calling it as India's sovereign territory. How do you see it in the backdrop of Indian transgression in Doklam? (Khawaja Nayar Iqbal - Daily Kashmir Post) Answer I believe your question has two parts. The first part relates to India's claim that Jammu & Kashmir is its integral part. I have said it time and again that this claim is a clear violation of UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir. Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute. I would first of all ask the Indian Army Chief to read the UNSC resolutions on Kashmir. I would encourage him to press his government to implement the United Nations Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, which it has been violating for almost 70 years. Indian transgression in Doklam and its illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir has hardly any parallel. In Jammu and Kashmir, India is not only a transgressor but also responsible for killing thousands of innocent civilians, dishonouring women and destroying Kashmiris' properties. Question Regarding Trump's policy on Afghanistan and South Asia and Pakistan's reaction to it, in your view what can happen next in terms of apprehensions of Pakistan? Is Pakistan anticipating any surgical strikes in its territory? Second, whatever Ambassador Abdul Basit has said in his letter is unprecedented in diplomatic history. Particularly the timing of the letter is extremely damaging and unfortunate. What do the service rules say about this situation? What possible penalty or reaction can be taken in such a situation? (Syed Mohsin Raza - Asas Group of Publications) Answer I have responded to this question earlier also that Pakistan has longstanding relationship with the US. Our areas of cooperation are diverse and multi-dimensional, including cooperation in Science & Technology, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism and trade & investment. In inter-state relations, there can be differences over issues between two countries, for which there would be established channels of communication through which misperceptions could be allayed and differences resolved. The other part of your question is speculative and does not warrant a response. Question China, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and many other countries have praised Pakistan's sacrifices in the fight against terrorism. How do you comment on rallying regional support for Pakistan in the wake of Trump's policy? (Saad Umar - Roze News) Answer You have rightly pointed out that a number of countries have noted Pakistan's sacrifices and contribution in the fight against terrorism. In line with the guidance by the Parliament and the National Security Council, we are in regular contact with all the friendly countries in the region as we believe that a regional and political approach is best suited to address the challenges in Afghanistan, and also in the larger regional context. Question In India, two more Muslims were lynched to death by Hindu terrorists backed by RSS for alleged transportation of cows. However, Indian Government's lip service towards agony of Muslims has not stopped Hindu extremists from carrying out such acts with impunity. On one hand, Prime Minister Modi says 'no violence on religious ground' but he looks the other way practically. Your comments. (Asghar Ali Mubarak - Daily Mail Islamabad) Answer We have consistently maintained that the Indian treatment of its minorities, especially Muslims, Dalits and Christians is a cause for serious concern to the International Community. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other Human rights organizations as well as members of civil society have amply reflected on the grave human rights situation across India and Indian occupied Kashmir, and persecution of religious minorities. The increasing intolerance, extremism and religious bigotry rampant in India should also raise alarm internally and should be rectified, most of all for India itself. This is possible only if verbal rhetoric is accompanied by concrete actions on ground which is regrettably missing so far. Question In your view, in the wake of Trump's Afghan & South Asia policy, does Pakistan have any military threat from the US? (Khalid Mahmood - Express TV) Answer I have already responded in detail about Pakistan's longstanding relationship with the US. Moreover, both the Houses of the Parliament and National Security Committee have deliberated upon the issues arising out of the US policy statement on South Asia. Based on those deliberations, we will look into the steps of engaging with the US, accordingly. Question The Upper House of the Parliament as well as Chairman Senate has sent guidelines to all state institutions regarding the resolution adopted in the aftermath of Trump's Afghan & South Asia policy. One of the measures adopted by the resolution was to summon US Ambassador to the Foreign Office, and the second was to highlight evidence of Indian state involvement in terrorism within Pakistan at the upcoming UNGA Session. Your comments on both please! Secondly, in the aftermath of US policy, we see a diplomatic battle being fought in Pakistan, where anti-US sentiment is on a record high. In this situation, how counter-productive would this be for our long-term strategic goals? (Abid Khursheed - ATV) Answer In response to the first part of your question, I have already mentioned that deliberations on the matter are ongoing. We will be guided by those guidelines. Regarding the part of your question on raising the matter of Indian involvement at UNGA, we have already forcefully taken up this issue of Indian involvement in state terrorism, terror financing and subversive activities in Pakistan, as well as the use of Afghan soil against Pakistan with the UN. We continue to take up this issue with them. The confessions made by Commander Kulbhushan Jhadev have led to dismantling of terrorist networks. The concerned quarters are still working on those leads. Voluntary revelations by Jammat-ul-Ahrar's former Spokesperson, Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, are also clearly indicative of what India is doing in Afghanistan. You are also aware of former US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel's statement that India finances trouble in Pakistan from Afghanistan. Question We all know that the killers of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack have been set free. You made a comment on this in the last press briefing, and I believe many meetings have also taken place. Will the Foreign Office only make statements to this effect, or has any further steps been taken at the diplomatic level? (Essa Naqvi - Dunya News) Answer In this context please refer to my last week's briefing, in which I gave a detailed response to this question. I have mentioned it many times that India has been systematically and deliberately exonerating perpetrators of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack. We have taken up the issue with India many times in the past. During FS Level talks in 2012 and later on the sidelines of Heart of Asia meeting in 2016 the issue of bringing perpetrators of Samjhauta Express terrorist attack to justice was taken up. In fact, they had been promising every time that they would share details of the trial, but nothing to this effect happened. India made commitments at the highest political level, but has failed to deliver on its promises. Question You referred to the resolutions adopted by the two Houses of the Parliament. Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif read the resolution that was unanimously passed by the Parliament. Apart of the resolution called for suspension of air and ground corridor used by NATO forces within Pakistan, and will particularly be used once new US troops join forces in Afghanistan. Will the full or the partial suspension of this corridor be considered? Second, Foreign Minister will soon visit China, Turkey and Russia. Iran has strongly supported Pakistan's stance on Afghanistan, including rejecting the US policy. Since Iran is also an important stake holder in the region, is the Foreign Minister considering a visit to Iran also? (Faisal Raza Khan - 92 News) Answer As to the second part of your question, I have already mentioned that in line with the discussions and deliberations at the highest level, we are contemplating visits to various friendly regional countries where we will share Pakistan's perspective on regional issues. As of now, I cannot give you the list of the countries Foreign Minister will be visiting. As to the first part of your question, it is not for me to comment on any measures or decisions. As I said, deliberations at the highest level are ongoing, and we will be guided by them. Question At the time when Pakistan is being blamed for safe havens and the Afghan Government has welcomed US policy on the region, will this effect Pakistan's role in the Afghan peace process? (Rabia Pir - VOA DEEWA Radio) Answer Our policy on Afghanistan is very clear. We have the highest stakes in peace within our neighbouring country; anything that happens in Afghanistan will have direct bearing on the security and economy of our country. Pakistan has been part of all the initiatives aimed at bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. We are sincerely pursuing and participating in all initiatives aimed at bringing lasting peace and stability to Afghanistan. Pakistan is ready to play its role to that end, whenever required. We believe that all initiatives in Afghanistan should be Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. Question US Department of Financial Services has sent $630 million penalty notice to the Pakistan's largest private bank HBL branch in New York over certain accusations. We have also seen reports of US probing into our Embassy's alleged role in money laundering in this case. Your comments please! Secondly, will you share some details of Prime Minister's upcoming visit to UNGA, including when he will be leaving? (Naveed Saddique - Dawn News) Answer As to your second question, I am not aware of the schedule of Prime Minister's visit. As for the matter involving HBL, they have issued a comprehensive press release in this regard. Please refer to that for clarification. However, briefly I would like to clarify that the notice for monetary penalty was issued by New York State Department of Financial Services on a matter that, according to our information, was going on for over two years. I have seen reports that HBL intends to contest this measure at the appropriate forum. Question Reportedly, India has withdrawn its troops from Doklam. Indian media was celebrating as diplomatic win whereas their Ministry of External Affairs statement was quite muted. Your views please! (Amjad Ali - PTV News) Answer We are happy that finally the better sense prevailed and the Indian side decided to withdraw from the Chinese territory. We expect India to resolve its differences with all its neighbours in a similar way. We appreciate the sagacity and restraint shown by the Chinese side in this standoff and resolving the issue amicably.