Office of the Spokesman
Record of the Press Briefing by Spokesman on 16 March 2012
There are no opening remarks to make. If you have any question, you can ask please.
Questions & Answers Session:
Question
I have a particular question regarding two Pakistani nationals who performed an act of sodomy on a 14 years old Haitan boy which earned bad name for Pakistan. Are there any updates on it and is there any truth in it?
Answer
Yes, they have been convicted. They have since been repatriated to Pakistan and they will complete their sentence which I think is one year imprisonment.
Question
Sir, I would like to have your comment on the recent incidents of Afghan civilians killing by the US forces in Afghanistan. Moreover, there are incidents of Israeli aggression on Ghaza strip. There have been a high level meeting in Pakistan regarding the restoration of NATO supplies. How do you see the whole scenario?
Answer
We are concerned about this and our Foreign Minister, the day before yesterday, condemned the Kandhar episode. As far as the reopening of the supply routes is concerned, for that we all are waiting for the parliamentary process to complete.
Question
Saudi Arabia has decided to close down its embassy in Damascus. Is Pakistan following suit?
Answer
That is not under consideration at this point in time.
Question
Can you tell us any reaction about Afghan Taliban pulling out of talks with the US? Can you tell us when we should expect Pak-US relations review debate starting in parliament?
Answer
Regarding your first question, you will agree with me that reconciliation in Afghanistan is not a linear process. As intricate and complex it is, ups and downs will be inevitable. Important is for all concerned that they show patience, perseverance and sincerity of purpose and we should keep our eyes on the end objective which is to achieve sovereignt, independent peaceful and stable Afghanistan. In this spirit, Pakistan will continue encouraging all parties towards an intra-Afghan consensus for a durable political settlement that accords with the aspirations of the people of Afghanistan, as underlined by our Prime Minister, in his statement on Afghanistan on 24 February 2012. Regarding your second question, tomorrow the President will be addressing the joint parliamentary session. I think that this particular subject will be considered by the parliament starting from the 19th of this month.
Question
There are reports from Washington that Pakistan may be willing to accept a joint mechanism with the US for drone strikes. Are these reports correct?
Answer
We have been saying all along that sovereignty of Pakistan is non-negotiable. Therefore, we cannot think of, let alone accept any arrangement whereby our sovereignty is compromised. Drone strikes inside Pakistan are illegal and these should be stopped. Moreover, we firmly believe that these strikes are damaging our efforts against militancy and terrorism. It is nevertheless, encouraging that more and more voices are being raised in the West against these illegal drone strikes. We believe the illegal use of drones should be stopped forthwith.
Question
As it is pointed out that we have been demanding an end to the drone strikes and this is very clear that these drone strikes, over 300 strikes up to now are violating Pakistan’s sovereignty without any doubt and these are going on even now and then we have a statement by Foreign Minister Hina Rabban Khar that US is not willing to change its policies and we also have a recent statement from Secretary Hillary Clinton that we will strike wherever we have to. Are we considering any actions diplomatic or otherwise against the US policy of drone strikes? Your comments please?
Answer
I think you have a point and there is no question that these drone strikes are in violation of our sovereignty. We have been raising taking this issue forcefully with the US and with other Western countries. It has been our hope that the US will revisit its use of drones inside Pakistan but, unfortunately, that has not happened. Now our parliament is seized with this matter as they are reviewing the whole gamut of our relations with the US so let us for what policy guidelines parliament gives us, then we will take up the matter with the US accordingly.
Question
Is it true that Mr. Marc Grossman is going to visit Pakistan after the recent review of Pak-US relations and the new terms of engagement between Pakistan and the US. Are there any updates about his forthcoming visit?
Answer
There are no dates yet finalized for any visit from Washington.
Question
Which base is being used for drone attacks while previously the Shamsi air base was being used but we closed it for the US.
Answer
No base in Pakistan is being used.
Question
Is there any possibility that Pakistan raises the issue of drone attacks at the UN?
Answer
I am not in a position to dilate on specifics at this stage but all options are available.
Question
Our judicial commission is in India. This seems a significant progress in the ongoing Mumbai terror attack trial in Pakistan. But what about the Samjhauta blast? Is Pakistan satisfied the way investigations are being conducted by India?
Answer
Yes, our Judicial Commission is currently in India. As for the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack , that ghastly incident killed 42 Pakistan nationals. Over five years have elapsed to that incident, yet India has not shared with us any outcome of their investigations. You will appreciate that we are responsible to the families of the victims of Pakistan nationals and that is their right to know what has been so far been done in concrete terms vis-à-vis bringing the perpetrators of that crime to justice. We strongly believe that this matter should be dealt with more efficiently and expeditiously and we hope that India would share the findings of its investigations with Pakistan sooner than later.
Question
I would like to have your comments regarding the Russia-Pakistan inter ministerial meeting. Any dates and who will be leading the delegation?
Answer
We are working on dates for the second meeting of the Pakistan-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission. It will perhaps take place after President-elect Putin assumes his office on 7 May 2012. We are working to convene the meeting during the first half of this year.
Question
After the incident of 2nd May the new terms of engagement with the US were to be decided as per the statement by the DG ISI. Now, how hopeful should we be about the upcoming sessions of the parliament regarding these new terms of engagement with the US?
Answer
This is the first in our history that the executive has asked the parliament to give guidelines on a foreign policy matter and this is very significant and a huge step in strengthening our democratic institution. Whatever comes out of this process will be far-reaching and will represent the aspirations of our people. So, we attach immense importance to this process.
Question
As you have mentioned that all options are available in case of drone attacks. I want to ask what are they and why Pakistan has been reluctant to take any of them except to ask Americans to stop drone strikes?
Answer
As I said earlier, I am not in a position to dwell on specifics at this stage. I seek your indulgence.
Question
In the fury of drone attacks we have been hearing that the Afghan soil is being used for the drone attacks inside Pakistan. Is it so? And if it is, what step has Pakistan taken in this regard.
Answer
I am not aware of details. I may refer you to ISPR.
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