[This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] Opening Remarks · Curtain Raiser - Visit of the President to Nigeria from 09-12 June, 2014 · Curtain Raiser-35th Session of the D-8 Commission (10-11 June, 2014 – Islamabad) The above statements can be accessed on the Ministry’s website (www.mofa.gov.pk) Now the floor is open for Questions Question We know that on the instructions of the Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Acting High Commissioner in London held a meeting with Mr. Altaf Hussain who is currently in hospital. Can you comment on the initial report sent back by the Acting High Commissioner? Secondly, there were reports that government of Pakistan was willing to extend legal assistance to Mr. Altaf Hussain. Can you update us on that? Thirdly, there have been numerous attacks from the Afghan side on Pakistani posts at the border. A number of times this issue has been taken up and Pakistan has protested. However, these attacks have not stalled. What is the way forward? Answer We issued a press release last night after the Acting High Commissioner’s meeting with Mr. Altaf Hussain, the leader of the MQM. As we said in our statement, Mr. Imran Mirza, our Acting High Commissioner in London sought access which was granted yesterday and immediately on receiving the intimation from the British Government, he went to the hospital as per the instructions of the Prime Minister. He met with Mr. Altaf Hussain for about twenty minutes and presented a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Prime Minister. He conveyed the Prime Minister’s good wishes for his health. Mr. Altaf Hussain thanked the Acting High Commissioner and requested that his deep appreciation be conveyed to the Prime Minister for his message of solidarity as well as for ensuring consular access to him. He said that he was grateful for the Prime Minister’s noble gesture. Of course this message has been relayed back. So this is where things stand. We have already carried out the actions in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s instructions. Mr. Altaf Hussain has not requested any legal assistance so far. If it is done then we will act as instructed by the Prime Minister. As regards Afghanistan, you know that there have been a number of attacks in the recent days. We have raised this matter with Afghanistan both in Kabul and here in Islamabad with the Afghan embassy. You would also recall that ISPR also shared this information with you that our troops are acting in self-defense and they will continue to do that. Question According to the Vienna convention on consular relations, a national residing in a foreign country can request for consular access if arrested. Altaf Hussain is currently a British citizen. Can you update us on his status as Pakistani citizen? Answer Unlike many other countries, with Britain, any Pakistani who acquires British nationality does not have to renounce Pakistani nationality. That’s why you know that a large number of Pakistani Britons have dual nationality. You would recall that Mr. Altaf Hussain applied for NICOP and Pakistani passport and I would recall for you the Interior Minister’s instructions conveyed to our High Commission in London to provide consular services including NICOP and the Passport. The procedure is that in exceptional cases, for NICOP, a team can visit the applicant and take details but for the passport the applicant has to go to the High Commission. This was conveyed to Mr. Altaf Hussain about two to three weeks back. Whenever, Mr. Altaf Hussain is ready to complete the process, these documents will be processed accordingly. Question After having attained consular access to Mr. Altaf Hussain, have we also sought details of the charges leveled against him? What is the assessment of our High Commission, how strong or weak is his case? Answer I have no information about that. I don’t think that was discussed yesterday. You may keep in mind that Mr. Altaf Hussain is in hospital. Question According to some media reports, India has placed a ban on Azaan at some places. What is the stance of the Foreign Office? Answer I don’t think a ban has been imposed. It was a demand by some organization. According to our information that’s where the matter stands. Question What is the government of Pakistan’s demand to the British government concerning the case of Mr. Altaf Hussain? Answer I think the statements by the Prime Minister and other spokespersons of the government are quite clear on that. Question We have seen reports that Russia has removed arms embargo from Pakistan. Can you confirm these reports? If that is true, will Pakistan try to acquire military equipment from Russia? Has there been an agreement lately? Answer We have seen the media reports and we are ascertaining the facts. At the moment I have nothing more to say. Question My question is regarding Pak-India talks. Do you have any update what is the progress and when are we going to have the good news of Secretary level meeting? Answer The two governments are in touch and when we have something concrete, we will share it with you. Question Altaf Hussain is sick and is in the hospital. Angiography has taken place today. Will the Government of Pakistan formally demand the British Government that because of his serious condition he may be allowed to travel back to Pakistan? Answer This is not a decision that will be taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will carry out the instructions as and when they are received. Question Can you please share with us the amount of expenses incurred on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to India? Answer Normally, the expenses on the visits are not calculated straight away because different bills are involved. For instance, the hotel bills, the PIA aircraft parking and refueling charges and miscellaneous expenditures. Once they are all received, the total expenditure will be tabulated by our protocol division. Question It was reported that the Prime Minister during his visit to India also met with certain businessmen in New Delhi. Was that meeting scheduled earlier, because the official schedule shared with the media did not show this specific meeting? Secondly, High Commissioner Abdul Basit was in Pakistan. He has just returned to Delhi. What instructions has he carried back with him? Answer High Commissioner Abdul Basit was here as part of routine consultations that take place between our Envoys and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also meetings at the leadership level and in other ministries. What exactly was discussed remains confidential. Question An important development has taken place between Taliban and the US. There has been a prisoners’ swap. What is Pakistan’s perspective on that? We also have some prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. Is there anything you can share about those Pakistanis? Answer Well, these are totally different issues. The swap of prisoners between the US and Taliban is not something I would like to comment on. As regards our prisoners, our Ministry of Interior is in contact with the US authorities and we are constantly seized of this matter. We would like to see early release of Pakistanis whether they are in Guantanamo or in Bagram or anywhere else. Question Is Mr. Altaf Hussain a Pakistani national? Answer I would refer you to NADRA. I have said all I had to say. About these technicalities, the Ministry of Interior and NADRA would be better informed. Question What is Pakistan’s position on the recently held elections in Egypt? Answer Every country has its own internal dynamics. We do not comment on that. We respect the judgment and will of the people of Egypt. We hope that these elections will lead to political stability and economic development. Question I would refer to a recent press conference by Indian Supreme Court’s senior lawyer Professor Bhim Singh in Islamabad Press Club. He said that there are 24 Pakistanis in Amritsar Jail and according to India; Pakistan does not recognize them as its citizens. One of them is Abdul Sharif who has endured hardships in Indian jails for the last 17 years. What is Pakistan doing to get these prisoners release? Answer There is a large number of Pakistani prisoners in India other than fishermen. You would recall that when we exchanged the list of prisoners, we shared with you that according to our calculations, the number of our prisoners in India was larger than what was officially conveyed by India to us. This issue has a humanitarian dimension. I don’t know about the case of Mr. Abdul Sharif but there are many Pakistani prisoners in India who have completed their sentences but they are still languishing in jails. This matter is constantly taken up with India in all our interactions, in Delhi and in Islamabad with their High Commission. About this particular person, I would check if his name is in our record. If not, it is not because of a lack of effort on our side, there is unfortunately a problem with the procedures in India that people are not simultaneously charged for alleged crimes that they have committed in India. The sentences run one after the other. We may assure you that we are fully seized of this matter and we empathize with the families. Every Pakistani wherever he is, his freedom and wellbeing is not only our responsibility but it is very dear to us. ******************