Record of the Press Briefing by Spokesperson on 25th September 2014 (2014-09-25) [This is a rush transcript. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated] There are no Opening Remarks. The Floor is open for Questions Question Is there any possibility of a meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the UNGA Session in New York? (Zarghoon Shah, Geo TV) Answer We have not sought a meeting and we have not received any request. Question It has been a tradition that whenever Pakistani leadership went to attend the UNGA Sessions, there had always been at least two very significant meetings on the sidelines: one with the US President and the other with the Indian leadership. Both these meetings are not scheduled this time. What is the reason? Also, we have observed that this time the number of sideline meetings in New York is limited as compared to previous years. Can you explain the reasons? (Mateen Hyder, Dawn News) Answer First about the US President; The UN Headquarters is in New York and so the US is the host country. The US President addresses the UNGA on the opening day which was 22nd September while our Prime Minister arrived in New York last evening. The two leaders would not have been there at the same time. About the Indian Prime Minister, I have already shared with you the status. Saying that there are not many scheduled meetings on UNGA sidelines is not correct. There are six or seven meetings with various heads of states/governments. There is also meeting with the UN Secretary General. Question Two days back US forces targeted Khorasan Group in Syria. A terrorist group with the same name reportedly existed in North Waziristan as well before it was targeted and dismantled by Pakistani forces. The word is also of Pashtu and Persian origin. Do you think this could be used as a pretext for carrying out preemptive strikes inside Pakistan? (Shafiq Ahmed, Times Now TV) Answer I don’t agree with your description. Historically, Khorasan is a region that comprised the North Western Region of Pakistan, Iran and Central Asia. I don’t see any reason on the basis of which you have said that this group existed here. There are many amorphous terrorist groups of this kind which keep floating from country to country or they are ideological affiliates. This group which has emerged in Iraq and Syria is a new phenomenon. We stand with the International Community in opposing terrorism of all kinds. It would be far-fetched to say that on the basis of similarity of name, there can be pre- emptive strikes. It is good to be imaginative but don’t go that far! Question We have also heard reports of a terrorist group called Lashkar-e-Khorasan operating in coastal areas of Balochistan like Turbat and Makran. Do you have any information as to who is backing this group? (Yasir Baloch, Vsh News TV) Answer Again, the name has commonality but I am not aware of the existence of this group and who is backing it. Our policy is clear; we are taking very comprehensive and resolute action against all terrorists. The military operation in North Waziristan has proceeded very successfully. Question When Mr. Modi became Indian Prime Minister, there were very high hopes that relationship between Pakistan and India would improve. This could however, not materialize. Can you cite reasons? Secondly, any new dates for the Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan? (Fida Hussain, Radio News Channel, FM-99) Answer When the new government took over in India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was invited to the oath taking ceremony, along with the leaders from other SAARC countries. Prime Minister attended that ceremony. The subsequent meeting between the two Prime Ministers was positive. It was decided that the two Foreign Secretaries would meet and resume the dialogue process. You would recall that the meeting between the Foreign Secretaries was also announced but it was then abruptly cancelled by the Indian side on the pretext that Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi had met with the Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders. We had tried to avail the opportunity. We want to focus on the disputes between the two countries, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir so that a peaceful solution could be found through dialogue. Our efforts are not lacking in any way. Secondly, the Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan has been postponed. Both countries are in touch and working to reschedule the visit as early as possible. Question We know that Pakistan is taking decisive action against the terrorists in the form of Operation Zarb-e-Azb but we also see that the US drone strikes are still continuing. I was wondering if Pakistan has renewed its protest on these strikes with the US authorities. Are we taking other measures? (Waqas Rafiq, Capital TV) Answer We do that regularly. We have been working on a parallel track. Day before yesterday at the Human Rights Council, there was a panel discussion on the subject of use of armed drone. You would recall that earlier a resolution was adopted at the UN Human Rights Council and it was decided that a panel discussion would ensue. The panel discussion that took place was very well attended. The panelists were very prominent people from UN Human Rights mechanisms, human rights activists and lawyers. The message was very loud and clear: drone strikes are illegal and have no sanction under international law. So, the efforts are taking place at various platforms and forums to further strengthen the international public opinion against drone strikes and no country can be indifferent to international public opinion. Question Pakistan has formally congratulated the new leadership in Afghanistan. What are Pakistan’s expectations on certain concerns such as TTP leadership residing in Afghanistan and cross border terrorists attacks? (Shaukat Piracha, AAJ TV) Secondly, there is a case of a minor girl who was fraudulently taken to United Kingdom by her uncle. FIA has confirmed that she was taken on forged documents. The girl’s parents have died and her uncle apparently wanted to seize their property. The issue has been taken up with the British Embassy many a times but with no response. Can you help? Answer The second question first, this is a very serious allegation and I am sure the British High Commission would investigate it because generally they are very careful about cases of child trafficking. I will have to check it with our concerned division and also with our High Commission in London. As for the first question, we have welcomed the conclusion of the electoral process in Afghanistan. We have congratulated the Afghan leadership over the agreement that they have concluded. We hope with this, a new era of stability in Afghanistan will usher in. We are looking forward to working very closely with the new Afghan leadership to further strengthen our bilateral relation and to resolve the issues that you mentioned and also the issues of sanctuaries of terrorists inside Afghanistan and cross border attacks. Question Any update on the Foreign Secretary level talks between Pakistan and India. Are they being re-scheduled? What is the latest? (Riaz Burki, PTV) Answer The two Foreign Offices are in contact through their respective High Commissions. We did not cancel the talks so it is up to India now to indicate how it wants to proceed. Question There has been widespread devastation caused by floods in IOK. The Kashmiris there have complained that the Indian authorities have not provided them adequate assistance. How does Pakistan see this?(Khwaja Nayyar, Kashmir Post) Answer You would recall that just prior to the letter from the Indian Prime Minister; we had offered to assist our brothers and sisters in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). Obviously we feel concerned about the plight of our Kashmiri brethren in IOK. So, we offered assistance. The Indian Prime Minister also addressed letter to our Prime Minister, proposing cooperation. We proposed to India that we need to also address the larger issue of climate change and other issues that may be adversely impacting the climate. We, of course are ready to provide all assistance to Kashmiris. You know that there have been discussions on this issue in our parliament as well. This reflects the sentiment in Pakistan. Every Pakistani feels the pain and sufferings of our Kashmiri brothers and we are ready to help. We understand that Government of Azad Kashmir has also appealed that the LOC points should be opened so that they can undertake relief activities. Question We know that Pakistani policy is very clear on drone attacks but Barack Obama while addressing the UN General Assembly clearly mentioned that these terrorists only understand the language of force. He talked about the Syrian attack. What is Pakistan’s take on Syrian strikes and do you think this narrative of use of force has relevance with drone attacks in Pakistan? (Abid, ATV) Answer Look, first about the narrative; no country, no matter how big and powerful can remain immune to world public opinion. Secondly, about Syria, our position has been that any action against terrorism should be under the auspices of United Nations. Question It has been revealed that two opposition leaders secretly met in London to do coordination for the Islamabad protests. Yesterday, PM Nawaz Sharif called the secret talks as “London plan”. It seems that PM Sharif believes that there is a connection between these talks and the London government. Your comments on this please?( Manafi, IRNA) Secondly, any planned meeting between Pakistani and Iranian leaders in New York? Answer Well, the Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz and Iranian Foreign Minister met yesterday. They had a very good meeting. About the leadership, I don’t know if they are there at the same time. As far as I know no meeting is scheduled. Your earlier question was purely about internal politics of Pakistan. We don’t discuss internal politics at the Foreign Office. Question Iranian Petroleum Minister recently has asked Pakistan to complete the Pakistan side of the IP Gas Pipeline. What is the cause of the delay, US sanctions or something else? (Ali Furqan, Frontier Post) Answer You are aware of the reasons for delay. It was for this reason that Pakistan and Iran signed an agreement under which Iran was to provide a soft loan of 500 million dollars for building the pipeline on Pakistan side. Because of the sanctions, Iran could not fulfill that commitment and therefore, Pakistan could also not make progress on the project. Both sides are however, committed to building the pipeline and we are looking at new ways for making that possible. Question Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will address the UN General Assembly tomorrow. Will he raise the issue of drone strikes and Jammu and Kashmir? (Rana Ibrar, Independent News Pakistan) Answer The speech at the high level segment of the UNGA is a policy statement. Matters that relate to our foreign policy are raised. As regards the details of the speech, you have to wait till tomorrow. Question The outgoing Afghan President again leveled very serious allegations in spite of the fact that Pakistan has been doing a lot for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Your reaction to these baseless allegations please? (Mateen Hyder, Dawn News) Answer You know that Pakistan and Afghanistan are neighbors. Pakistan and Afghanistan are two countries which are bound by ties of religion, history and culture. We face common challenges and we have to confront them and find solutions for them jointly through collaboration. There will be a new government in Afghanistan shortly and as I said earlier we look forward to working with them closely. ******************
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 05:34:24 +0000
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