Record of the Press Briefing by Spokesperson on 09th April 2015

There are no Opening Remarks:

Now the Floor is open for Questions

Question:

There are media reports that the USA has banned Peshawar based charity organization Al-Furqan. Did the State Department share any information with Pakistan in this regard?

Secondly, can you please share the details of military sales announced by the USA for Pakistan recently?(Mateen Haider-Dawn News)

Answer:

First about the proscription that has been done under the US domestic law, yes the US informed us that it has been done. The US authorities normally intimate us when they intend to move a case for proscription under the UN sanction committee. When any entity is listed by the United Nations, it entails obligations on all the Members of the United Nations to take action and also freeze their assets, ensure travel ban outside the country and also impose an arms embargo.

Regarding your second question, Pakistan has longstanding defence cooperation with the United States. Institutional defence cooperation is carried out through various mechanisms. Defence Consultative Group is one such forum. Pakistan seeks to procure US military equipment to meet critical gaps in its defence capabilities; the proposed equipment will also help our campaign against terrorism. By notifying the Congress of the proposed sale, the State Department is completing the US internal process in such cases. We hope the final clearance will come through soon. We welcome the notification by State Department. This is recognition of Pakistan’s needs in counter terrorism operation. The congress would have one month to ask any additional questions and queries to the State department. On the end of that the sale would be confirmed.

Question:

According to Sri Lankan Media Reports, five Pakistani girls were arrested in Sri Lanka on charges of prostitution. Can you please confirm the news story?

Secondly, during the last three days debate in Parliament on Yemen Crisis, only three speeches supported Saudi military action in Yemen. The Nation has reported and it seems that Foreign Office is supporting Saudi position on Yemen situation and deployment of troops in the conflict. What are the elements of Foreign Policy which make Foreign Office to support the Saudi position? (Anwar Abbas- Waqt News)

Answer:

I have not seen the news report. You know that Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been in consultations to curb illegal activities which sometimes take place. For instance, drug trafficking or human smuggling. Obviously, if something of this sort has happened we would expect Sri Lanka to inform us, so that action could be taken.

As regards, your second question, I think you have presumed a number of things which are not correct. In the parliament debate, we have not heard a single speaker saying that we should not stand by Saudi Arabia. One, everyone has endorsed what the government has said so far that Saudi Arabia is a friend and a brotherly country of Pakistan. Two, if there is any threat to the two holiest places of Islam, Pakistan will be first to defend them. Three, if there is any threat to Saudi Arabia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Pakistan would stand with Saudi Arabia. What has been increasingly mentioned is that Pakistan should not become part of military operation in Yemen. Pakistan’s policy is based on the principles that have been outlined in the repeated statements by the government and have also been articulated by the honourable parliamentarians.

Question:

What are the points of conversion and diversion with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Crisis in Yemen, since he has concluded his visit to Pakistan? (Zarghoon Shah-Geo News)

Answer:

The visit has not concluded. I may once again point out that the visit was scheduled before the crisis in Yemen erupted. The Adviser to PM Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Minister of Iran H.E Javad Zarief had agreed on the visit during their meeting on the sidelines of an international conference. The Iranian Foreign Minister had promised to visit Pakistan after the talks on the nuclear issue. We discussed the entire range of bilateral relations. There was convergence of views on the need to increase the political interaction, economic cooperation, enhance our cooperation in countering terrorism which affects both countries. The two sides also took the opportunity to discuss the regional situation including Afghanistan and Yemen. On Yemen, there has been full briefing at the press conference which you attended. There was generally agreement on the need to de-escalate the situation and encourage the parties to move towards dialogue and resolve all their differences through political negotiations. We have said that we condemn the actions of non-state actors of overthrowing a legitimate government recognized just not by Pakistan but by the international community and United Nations. We have had consultations with Turkey. We have had consultations with Saudi Arabia. The Prime Minister’s statement in the Parliament referred to consultations that have been going on between Pakistan and Turkey and also between Turkey and Iran. Yesterday there were political consultations with Oman as well. We have expressed concern at the situation and emphasized the need for political dialogue and resolution.

Question:

Regarding killing of eight Iranian border Security Guards, do you have any latest update on the matter? Does this issue come under the agenda of the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister? Iran is accusing Jaish e Adl for the incident. Is Pakistan taking any action against Jaish e Adl? (Saima Shabbir- Aljazeera English International)

Answer:

Yes, this issue was discussed yesterday as well in the context of countering terrorism which is a common concern and enhancing our cooperation for better border management. Our C’dA in Tehran was also conveyed this message. You have seen our statement yesterday on this matter. We asked the Iranian authorities to share any evidence or intelligence that could facilitate investigations by our authorities if indeed the culprits entered Pakistan after the attack which took place inside Iran in Negour area. As per our policy, we would not allow our territory to be used against any country. We would take the strongest action if indeed these people are found in our territory.

Question:

Will the Prime Minister of Pakistan go to other Islamic Countries to discuss the crisis in Yemen?(Faisl Ramzan- Al-Mana TV Lebanon)

Answer:

I do not know whether you have followed the statement of Prime Minister in Parliament in which he briefed the members of the Parliament about his visit to Turkey. He also mentioned the Turkish President’s visit to Tehran. He also mentioned that we would await visit from the Foreign Minister of Turkey to brief us about their discussions in Tehran so that future course of action could be decided. We have been in contact with Saudi Arabia and a delegation from Pakistan had already visited Saudi Arabia. The consultations are ongoing process. We would want an early end to hostilities in Yemen.

Question:

Can you please confirm the visit of Saudi Religious Minister to Islamabad? Is this visit schedule before the Crisis in Yemen? What is the agenda of his visit?

Secondly, Five Pakistanis laborers have been killed in Afghanistan and three others are still missing. Can you share more details in this regard? (Waqas Rafique- Capital TV)

Answer:

A large number of Pakistanis go to Pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia annually. In between, a large number of Pakistanis also go to Umrah. It is our effort to ensure maximum ease and facilitations for Pakistanis. In this context, we keep in touch with relevant Saudi authorities regularly. I understand that the visit is taking place at the invitation of our Religious Affairs Minister. You may confirm the program of his visit from the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Regarding the incident in Afghanistan, I do not have the details. But there are reports about kidnapping of some Pakistanis. I will check the details and get back to you.

Question:

An important International Conference is scheduled to be held in Indonesia next week. Is Prime Minister of Pakistan going to attend the conference?

Secondly, Indian Prime Minister is attending the conference. Is the Foreign Office is doing something to arrange a bilateral meeting between the two prime ministers on the sidelines of the conference? (Fayyaz-APP)

Answer:

Pakistan will participate in the conference. We will confirm the level of our participation in due course. Regarding, the second part of your question about meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, no there is no such initiative at the moment. We have not confirmed the participation of our Prime Minister.

Question:

Pakistan is planning to seek a UN Security Council Resolution on situation in Yemen. Iran first wants a cease fire, than humanitarian assistance and after that intra Yemen dialogue for peace and stability in Yemen. What is the OIC position on it?

Secondly, the Indian Prime Minister has appreciated the kind gesture of our Prime Minister for evacuation of 12 Indian Nationals from Yemen to New Delhi. Do you think that this gesture will help in starting dialogue and peace process between the two countries? (Maqbool Malik- The Nation)

Answer:

The OIC, at the Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), preparatory to the Foreign Minister’s meeting which will be held in June 2015, has discussed the matter. A resolution has also been prepared for the consideration of Foreign Ministers. As for your second question, Pakistan and India have remained engaged in the past under the framework of Composite Dialogue. Pakistan is committed to a result-oriented, sustainable and meaningful dialogue with India to address all issues of mutual concern including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Question:

Are there any Pakistanis still left in Yemen? Are you making more evacuation efforts for remaining Pakistanis in Yemen?

Secondly, according to some media reports, Chinese Prime Minister is now coming in the middle of April. Can you please confirm the dates of his visit?(Mateen Haider-Dawn News)

Answer:

Majority of Pakistanis have been evacuated. Some people have stayed back because they did not want to leave.

Regarding Chinese President Visit, Pakistan and China are strategic partners and all weather friends. High Level exchanges between the two countries are a feature of our strategic partnership to further enhance our bilateral relations in all fields. We have already confirmed that Chinese President would visit Pakistan in this month. Exact dates of the visit have not been announced by the Foreign Office, dates of his visit in the media are speculative.

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