(2019-04-11) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] Bismillah Ir Rehman Nir Rahim, Assalaam-o-Alaikum Firstly, let me give a brief round-up of the activities on the foreign policy front. Moving towards the grim news pouring in from the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where Indian atrocities against innocent Kashmiris have intensified. Indian occupation forces during the so-called All-out cordon and search operations martyred two (2) Kashmiris including Rahil Rashid Sheikh and Bilal Ahmad Bhat in Shopian area. In continuing attempts to blatantly harass and subjugate the Hurriyat leadership, Mir Waiz Omer Farooq is being forced to appear before the NIA in New Delhi instead of Srinagar on trumped up charges, based solely on fallacious assumptions and misinformation aimed at maligning him. This is being done despite threats to his person which have already been aggravated due to withdrawal of his security by India. Similarly, Yasin Malik has been shifted to the notorious Tihar Jail, reportedly in a clandestine operation. Pakistan condemns Indian attempts to coerce and torture Kashmiris struggling for the realization of their legitimate right to self-determination. In stark violation of the right to freedom of religion, Indian lockdown on Jamia mosque last Friday deprived Kashmiris in IOK from offering prayers in the mosque following Shab-e-Miraj when special prayers were to be held. We strongly condemn the lockdown of the mosque on the auspicious occasions and virtually every Friday. We also condemn reports of the inhuman decision to bar civilian traffic on the highway in Kashmir, twice a week from morning to evening, resulting in ambulances, often with critical patients, students and funerals being stranded. We impress upon the international community, to urge India, by all means possible, to immediately halt the human rights atrocities in IOK and seek their help in resolving the Jammu & Kashmir dispute. Separately, H.E. Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, visited Pakistan from 8 till 9 April 2019. During his visit he held important meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff and the Foreign Minister. During his meeting with Foreign Minister, the two sides expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation in all areas of common interest. FM Qureshi thanked the Bahraini Foreign Minister for the gift of King Hamad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences and hoped that the construction on the project would commence soon. Foreign Minister telephoned the Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif on 8th April 2019, to convey the grief of the government and people of Pakistan on the unprecedented flash floods in Iran, leading to loss of valuable lives and property. He expressed heartfelt condolences and prayed for the Maghfirah of over 70 people who have lost their lives due to this natural disaster. FM conveyed Pakistan's solidarity with its Iranian brothers and sisters in this difficult hour and would provide support during this humanitarian crisis. As a gesture of goodwill, the Prime Minister has instructed that two C-130 plane loads of relief goods to be sent immediately to Iran (Ahwaz and Khorumabad) for meeting some of the urgent needs of the flood-affected population in Iran. The inaugural meeting of the Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC) was held on 9th April in Beijing. The Pakistan side was led by Foreign Secretary, Tehmina Janjua while the Chinese side was led by Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the steady progress being made on various CPEC projects and reaffirmed their resolve to maintain this momentum. They also exchanged views and explored ways of developing joint proposals on international cooperation and coordination under CPEC. They rejected attempts to direct self-serving criticism against CPEC and BRI. It was agreed to counter such moves through joint efforts at various levels and modes. Foreign Minister received Ambassador of Japan, at the Foreign Office on 9th April. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues and expressed satisfaction at the positive growth in relations between Pakistan and Japan. The Japanese Ambassador assured his government's full support to enhance bilateral relations with Pakistan and said that the Japanese side looks forward to receiving the Foreign Minister in Tokyo, during his visit from 22-23 April 2019. Continuing with Pakistan’s spirit of constructive engagement, we have agreed to the Indian proposal for a technical meeting on 16th April. We hope that Pakistan’s spirit and peace gestures are reciprocated by the Indian side so that the Kartarpur Sahab corridor becomes a reality for 550th celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak. A further set of questions regarding the Pulwama incident has been handed over to the Indian High Commission today. We await the Indian response to the questions in this regard shared with them earlier. Now the floor is open for questions Question: Sir, my question pertains to the opening of Kartarpur Corridor; what are the main obstacles which hamper the negotiations between the two countries? Why India is not responding positively regarding the holding of talks and what issues will be discussed during the forthcoming meeting between Pakistan and India on the Kartarpur Corridor? (Mr. Zahid Farooq Malik - Daily Metro Watch) Answer: The proposed meeting will take place at the Zero Point near Kartarpur Sahib on 16th April 2019. I cannot comment on India objections regarding opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. As far as Pakistan is concerned, we were ready for talks on 2nd April 2019 and remain ready today. Our position is clear that we want to open the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, before the 550th Birth Anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, to allow devotees from India to visit the Gurdwara. Question: Elections in India have started today and the Kashmiris are observing a strike, in order to protest the fake elections. BJP has issued a manifesto for its election canvassing. In your opinion, what impact will their manifesto bring to the lives of the minorities living in India, if the BJP government is re-elected again? (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal - Media Today) Answer: I would not like to comment on India’s domestic matters. However, we reject the stipulations of BJP's manifesto regarding Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. There cannot be any alteration in the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which remains a disputed territory. The final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute has to be as per the Resolutions of the UN Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Question : Sir, has the Foreign Office approached the United Nations to launch a formal protest against the stipulations of BJP's manifesto pertaining to Article 370? The Afghan government has cancelled the license of a Pakistani bank located in Kabul. What is the reaction of Foreign Office on this issue ? (Ms. Kausar Lodhi - Prime News) Answer: Regarding your question on the closure of a Pakistani bank, in Kabul, I will check and get back to you soon. I have already replied to your first question. Any attempts by India to change the status of Jammu and Kashmir would be raised at all forums. Question: Sir, Hindu settlements in the Indian occupied Kashmir have started again. Moreover, Kashmiris are not allowed to move freely and are stopped, whenever a convoy of Indian Security Forces passes through the roads. Hurriyet Leader Yasin Malik has also been moved to another jail. Your comments please! (Mr. Raziq Mehmood Bhatti - Daily Kashmir Express) Answer: Pakistan has time and again stressed upon India the need to engage in a dialogue. The Kashmiris must be heard and the Jammu and Kashmir dispute needs to be resolved as per the UNSC resolutions. Indian repressive and oppressive policies have failed miserably in the past and would continue to face defeat in the face of the iron will of the Kashmiri people. Question: What is the basis of FM's recent statement regarding the possible Indian aggression against Pakistan? (Mr. Iqbal Mustafa - Jag Beeti) Answer: Pakistan has credible intelligence regarding the imminent threat as mentioned by the Foreign Minister. Any threat to Pakistan would be get a befitting reply. I would like to reiterate that Pakistan, however, believes in peace and dialogue and not war. Question: What sort of information has been sought from India regarding the paper shared by them on the Pulwama incident ? (Mr. Bashir Chaudhary - 24 News) Answer: I will not be able to comment on the specifics of the information sought. However, we want India to share actionable intelligence, if any, which as per their claim links Pakistan to the Pulwama incident, so that appropriate action may be taken. No such intelligence has been shared with Pakistan, so far. Question: Since the Foreign Minister mentioned 16 April 2019 as the date on which there is a threat of an Indian attack on Pakistan, and Pakistan has proposed the same date for the technical level meeting on Kartarpur Corridor. Do you think that this meeting can mitigate this threat? Secondly, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has stated that if Narendra Modi is re-elected, then there is a possibility of the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Your comments please! (Ms. Rashida Sial - Abb Takk TV) Answer: The statement made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan is quite clear. In response to your first question, I can affirm that these are two separate matters. If there is an aggression by the Indian side, it will be responded befittingly. However, it must be noted that Kartarpur corridor is a separate subject and has no link to the threat emanating from India, as menitoned by the Foreign Minister. Pakistan propounds that these escalatory measures should be avoided and our resolve should not be tested, otherwise, we will give the same reply as we did on 27 February 2019. Question: Is the threat from India over and has de- escalation taken place? (Mr. Naveed Siddiqui - Dawn News) Answer: I can state that the threat persists, as stated by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. Question: There are reports that Prime Minister Imran Khan will be visiting Iran soon. Can you confirm and provide any details ? (Mr. Sheraz Asghar - IRNA) Answer: Yes, I can confirm this and the details will be shared in due course of time. Question: Have the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India engaged in a telephonic conversation, after the Pulwama attack ? (Syed Asif Ali - Din News) Answer: No, there has been no such conversation. Question: There are reports regarding the conversion of religion of an Indian girl in Gujranwala district of Pakistan. Can you give us any details on this? (Mr. Anas Malick - WION News) Answer: Let me get the details and revert. Question: Recently, we saw the visit of the US Centcom Commander in Chief to Pakistan. Can you apprise what was the purpose of his visit? Secondly, has India replied to the questions sought by Pakistan regarding the Pulwama incident? (Mr. Naveed Akbar - AJJ TV) Answer: It was the first visit of General Kenneth McKenzie to Pakistan since assuming charge as Commander US CENTCOM. The purpose of the visit was to interact with his counterpart Chief of Army Staff and discuss matters of mutual interest. DG ISPR has issued a detailed press release in this regard. General McKenzie also paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister. In response to your second question, no, India has not provided any answers to our questions, so far. Question: Sir, my question is that after the February incidents between India and Pakistan, Pakistan had requested the international community to get involved to ensure de-escalation. Is Pakistan making similar requests, since this latest threat from India. Also, India on one hand stresses that it has given information to Pakistan on the Pulwama attack and on the other it is engaging in aggressive posturing, why is there a dichotomy in their policies ? (Mr. Zaheer - SAMAA TV) Answer: Pakistan did not involve any other power, in the matter, but responded itself with force, against the Indian aggression and will give a befitting response, if such a measure it taken by India again. We did brief the international community regarding the threat and the happenings of February, 2019. We have given such a briefing again about the recent threat intelligence. Regarding your question on the dichotomous Indian policies, this question should be asked from the Indian authorities. Question: Has Pakistan engaged the international community and apprised them regarding the imminent Indian threat? (Mr. Asghar Ali Mubarak - Daily Mail) Answer: Yes, the Foreign Secretary has given a detailed briefing to the Permanent Members of the Security Council (P-5), this Saturday (6-4-2019). Question: Will Pakistan be a part of the Doha dialogue? (Mr. Muhammad Jaleel, VOA) Answer: Pakistan will not be part of the next round of talks between the US and Taliban in Doha in April. There will also be an Intra-Afghan dialogue in Doha on 14-15 April 2019, organized by Russia. The first such meeting was held in Moscow in February this year. Pakistan has supported the peace talks in the past and will continue playing its facilitating role for durable peace in Afghanistan. Question: My first question pertains to the Afghan-US Dialogue and that the Afghan government has claimed that Taliban have decided to talk to them, your comments in this regard please? Secondly, there are long queues of vehicles along the Torkham Border, is this stoppage due to the Pakistan side? (Ms. Rabia Peer, VOA) Answer: There are no issues, from the Pakistani side, but I will get further details and brief you soon. Secondly, dialogue is a positive development and we have stated this before as well that the solution to Afghan conflict can only be arrived at through an Afghan owned, Afghan led peace process. Question: Will Pakistan Government issue a policy statement regarding the legitimacy of the elections being held in Israel? (Mr. Sib Kaifee - Arab News) Answer : I cannot comment on this issue. Question: France has given 36 Rafale jets to Qatar and the pilots trained by France include the pilots from Pakistan, who were on an exhange program and posted in Qatar? Can you confirm this ? (Mr. Aun Sherazi - Such News) Answer : I am not aware of any such development. Question: Sir, during the last briefing I had inquired about the death of a Pakistani, Shakil Ahmed, in New York. Can you give us details on this? (Majid Jarral - News One Tv) Answer: We have sought details from our mission, but have not received the information, as of now. I will revert to you once I have the details.