Assalam-o-Alaikum,
 
Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Briefing.
 
As you are aware Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has assumed charge as the 39th Foreign Minister of Pakistan. He has been receiving briefings on key foreign policy questions. In coming days and weeks, we will be briefing the media on his upcoming engagements and meetings with foreign interlocutors.
 
Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Ilyas Mehmood Nizami represented Pakistan at the Fifty-Ninth Session of the Programming Committee of SAARC held on 6-7 March 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
 
A Charter body, the Programming Committee met after the gap of over three years and the last session was held in December 2020 in virtual mode.
 
The Committee reviewed the status of SAARC processes and activities and finalized the budgets and Calendars of Activities of SAARC Secretariat, Specialized Bodies and Regional Centers.
 
Since the postponement of the 19th SAARC Summit which was planned to be held in Islamabad, the Programming Committee is the only Charter Body of SAARC that reviews all organizational activities and processes.
 
As a founding member of SAARC, Pakistan is fully committed to advancing the objectives of the organization as enshrined in its Charter and has always played an active role in the SAARC processes and activities.
 
Pakistan remains deeply concerned about the ongoing atrocities against the people of Gaza by Israeli occupation forces. We strongly condemn yesterday’s attack on UNRWA’s food distribution center in the eastern part of Rafah in Southern Gaza. Attack against the few remaining food distribution centers for a population on the verge of famine is part of Israel’s deliberate and inhumane policy of mass starvation. It is inhumane, unconscionable and a crime against humanity.  
 
UNRWA serves as a lifeline for over two million people, providing shelter and delivering vital food and primary healthcare services. It needs enhanced international support and protection during the ongoing inhumane war on Gaza.
 
Pakistan also condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the recent Israeli decision regarding construction of 3500 new settlement units in occupied West Bank. The Israeli action violates international law, international humanitarian laws and relevant resolutions of the United Nations and OIC. It would further undermine the prospects of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state.
 
We call on the United Nations Security Council to bring an end to these crimes of the occupation authorities against the people of Palestine and to fulfil its responsibilities under the UN Charter to bring an end to the sufferings of the Palestinian people.
 
Pakistan strongly condemns the decision of Indian authorities to declare illegal yet another political party in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir National Front.
 
With this decision, a total of nine Kashmiri political parties have become outlawed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Their leadership and cadres are also facing persecution. The Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Front, Naeem Ahmed Khan, has been languishing in Indian jails since 2017.
 
These oppressive measures reflect a vicious intent by India to stifle dissent and freedom of expression in IIOJK in complete disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law.
 
India should immediately lift the curbs on the banned Kashmiri parties; release all political prisoners and dissenters; and forthwith implement the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.
 
Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
 
Thank you!
 
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(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): Thank you very much, ma'am. The government has come up with yet another disclosure. When I say government, I mean if the Information Minister says something, he speaks on behalf of the government, that a political party, PTI, is approaching the European Union to disrupt GSP Plus status. How Pakistan or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will strategize its position so that the GSP Plus continues?
 
My second question is when the programming committee of the SAARC met whether they talked anything about the SAARC Summit, which is yet to be held in Pakistan?
 
Spokesperson: Regarding your first question, Pakistan has close multidimensional ties with the European Union and GSP Plus is an important pillar of our bilateral relations. It is pivotal for Pakistan’s trade, and it is a successful framework for development and mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union. Last week, the ninth round of Pakistan-EU political dialogue took place where both sides agreed to continue and strengthen cooperation in various domains including GSP Plus. So, we are confident that going forward, Pakistan and European Union will continue to work together in the framework of GSP Plus.
 
On your second question, as I underlined in my opening remarks, the programming committee discussed programming and budgetary matters and issues which needed urgent attention and were essential to the smooth functioning of SAARC.
 
(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Two questions first a follow-up, with regards to the consular access update on Pakistani nationals who were charge-sheeted in the US with regards to the supply of Iranian arms. That's number one. Number two, Yesterday we saw a notice from the US Foreign Affairs subcommittee with regards to a hearing on Pakistan's election, and the future of Pakistan-US relationship. How would you want to comment on that? The hearing is scheduled to be held next Wednesday, the 20th of March.
 
Spokesperson: Yes, we are aware of the notification and the hearing of the subcommittee that is scheduled for the 20th of March. Pakistan values its close relationship with the United States and believes in constructive engagement on all matters. And we respect the prerogative of legislative bodies to discuss and debate international issues. We sincerely hope that their deliberations contribute to promoting positive dynamics in bilateral ties based on mutual respect and understanding. We therefore hope that the US Congress will continue its supportive role in strengthening Pakistan-US ties and developing avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.
 
Anas Mallick: And the first question?
 
Spokesperson: I have no update on that.
 
(Nimrah Sohail, PTV): Ma’am, I need your remarks on India's plan to implement the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act granting Indian nationality to Hindus, Parsis, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains and Christians, everybody other than Muslims, who fled to India due to religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before December 31, 2014.
 
Spokesperson: Yes, we have seen the reports on notification of certain rules pursuant to the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019 and the ugly debate that is currently taking place in India with regards to Muslims, minorities and immigrants. Evidently, the legislation and relevant rules are discriminatory in nature as they differentiate amongst people on the basis of their faith. As you're aware on 16th of December 2019, the National Assembly of Pakistan passed a resolution criticizing the law, where it termed it as against international norms of equality and non-discrimination and international human rights law. These regulations and laws are premised on a false assumption that minorities are being persecuted in Muslim countries of the region and the facade of India being a safe haven for minorities. The rising wave of Hindutva under the BJP government has led to rapid political, economic and social victimization of Muslims and other religious and social minorities, including Dalits. The discriminatory steps further expose the sinister agenda of transforming India into a Hindu Rashtra. We believe that Indian authorities will be well advised to stop pre-choreographed targeting and systematic marginalization of minorities inside India. Only a few days ago, a group of UN Special Rapporteurs urged corrective actions to protect human rights and attacks against minorities in the run-up to India's national elections. In the same vein, you may have seen the statement made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in which he has termed this Act and the regulations as fundamentally discriminatory in nature and in breach of international obligations of India. With that, we urge India to take action to protect its own minorities, especially Muslims, who are in a very difficult situation, because of the rising Hindutva in India and the threat that it poses to Indian society and to the region at large.
 
(Mateen Haider, GTV News):​Thank you Ma’am. You have strongly condemned the current wave of repression and atrocities by Israeli security forces against innocent people of Gaza. Yesterday, an Israeli Minister said we are close to the complete invasion of the Rafah camps. So, other than condemnation, Pakistan is an important country in the Muslim world, any fresh initiative or any move under consideration jointly by Pakistan and other countries for Gaza?
 
Spokesperson: You would recall that last week I spoke about the role that Pakistan played at the OIC Foreign Ministers meeting discussing this very grave issue and concern and the countries of OIC have made their position clear that this war on the people of Palestine must end and the ongoing massacre and genocide must end. We have also called on the United Nations Security Council, which is the relevant body under international law and the UN Charter, to play its role in bringing about an end to this atrocity and to ensure that the war does not expand further and the bloodshed that is ongoing comes to an end.
 
(Zain Zaman, AFP): Ma’am, a few days back India tested a missile capable of getting multiple nuclear warheads. What is Pakistan's reaction to that? Thank you.
 
Spokesperson: Pakistan has taken note of the Indian missile test on the 11th of March. The advance notification was shared by India but it did not follow the 3-day timeline as stipulated in Article 2 of the Agreement on Pre-notification of the Fight Testing of Ballistic Missiles. The agreement on pre-notification we believe must be complied with in letter and spirit.
 
(Rizwan Ahmed Abbasi, Daily Ausaf): Ma’am, there’s a matter of abduction of Pakistani pilgrims in Iran and you also confirmed about three Pakistanis yesterday. It is being said that there are more Pakistanis in large numbers abducted and kept in Iran. What is Foreign Office doing regarding this issue?
 
Spokesperson: I would first like to appreciate the Iranian authorities for taking prompt action in the retrieval of three Pakistanis who were kidnapped by criminal gangs. And we have been in close coordination with Iranian authorities to ensure protection and safe passage of Pakistani Zaereen through Iran. As far as your assertion that there may be other cases, we are not aware of such cases and when such cases are brought to our notice, we will definitely work with Iranian authorities and we are confident in their abilities to retrieve Pakistani nationals and to fight against these criminal gangs.
 
(Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Ma’am, on the night of this month, the Afghan Taliban Spokesperson, or the Government Spokesperson tweeted that yesterday, that means on the 8th, an agreement was signed between Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan for the initiation of the CASA 1000 Project, saying that the practical work will start at the end of next month, that is April. Would you want to share some more details with regards to the signing of this agreement?
 
Spokesperson: CASA 1000 is not a new project. We are all aware of its importance for energy connectivity in the region and Pakistan's energy security. We are encouraged with the recent developments that CASA 1000 is now moving forward and all countries involved will be making their best efforts to ensure its success.
 
(Allah Noor, Mashriq TV): There have been many incidents in which people from Afghanistan have been involved like in South Waziristan and recently two terrorists were arrested from outside Adiala Jail and it was being reported that they were planning to attack the former Prime Minister and the Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf. So, has this issue been raised with Afghanistan or has there been any discussion been held between Pakistan and Afghanistan regarding these people who were arrested?
 
Spokesperson: First, Pakistan and Afghanistan have several channels of communication, including in the domain of security, and we have regular dialogue with them on all aspects of concern, including involvement of terrorist elements in terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, as well as the safe havens and hideouts that these terrorists enjoy inside Afghanistan. As far as the latest incidents are concerned, I would advise you to get more details from the relevant law enforcement authorities and they would be in a better position to share with you the extent of involvement of individuals from any other nationality.
 
(Sarah Zaman, VOA): So, in the past few days, we have seen that several Afghan leaders have also said that they're willing to work with the new government in Pakistan. Are there any plans of holding any formal talks with the Afghan Taliban in the coming days, now that the new Foreign Minister has also joined his post?
 
Spokesperson: Pakistan and the Afghan Interim Government have a regular channel of communication. There are different levels of engagement between the two countries and the primary channel of communication is of course the two embassies. As I said earlier in my remarks, as far as the engagements of the Foreign Minister are concerned, once they are finalized, we will share them with the media, but at this point, no such plan is finalized.
 
(Sarah Zaman, VOA): Has there been any phone calls with Afghanistan recently, with a new Government in place with a new Prime Minister and Foreign Minister?
 
Spokesperson: Not to my knowledge
 
(Muhammad Jaleel, VOA Urdu): My question is related to Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities. Recently, after elections of the Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, speaking in the National Assembly, he said that Pakistan is not part of any great game, and Pakistan would like to have cordial relations with its neighbours and wants to repair its relations with America. What's your comment? Often Pakistani leadership is saying that Pakistan is not part of any great game, Pakistan is not part of any camp. Why are these statements coming so often? Is there any pressure from any camp please?
 
Spokesperson: First of all, I would not like to second guess the Prime Minister and his statements, but I can basically repeat what we have said in the past: the main pillar of our foreign policy is to have good relations with all countries. And we have said that it is important that international law must hold supreme and countries must resolve their differences through peaceful means. Similarly, we have said that Asia-Pacific should be a region of peace and not of any contestation and rivalry. Thirdly, we have said that these blocs and camps are unproductive and unhelpful in settlement of disputes and in promotion of peace in the region. So, Pakistan has a consistent position with respect to that and the Prime Minister basically reiterated Pakistan's position.
 
(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): Since something is directly related to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I'm asking this question. The opposition leader designate in the National Assembly has disclosed that the incumbent Chief Election Commissioner Muhammad Jalal Sikandar Sultan Raja will be the new High Commissioner to Canada. When is he leaving for Ottawa?
 
Spokesperson: I have no such information and actually I'm hearing this for the first time.
 
(Shaukat Piracha, AAJ News): He made a statement in the National Assembly.
 
Spokesperson: I have no such information.
 
(Mateen Haider, GTV News): In follow up to Mr. Piracha’s question, since there is a new Foreign Minister and a new Government, any shake-up of Pakistan’s Ambassadors and High Commissioners around the world? And those who have been politically appointed by the previous government, any decision to recall politically based ambassadors appointed abroad?  
 
Spokesperson: At this stage only a few days into the new government, I do not have any advice with regards to posting and transfers in our missions abroad.
 
That's it? Okay thank you.

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