Office of the Spokesman
Record of the Press Briefing by Spokesman held on 19 April 2012
Opening Statement
The Foreign Minister left for Turkmenistan this morning to attend the Turkmenistan-Pakistan Joint Governmental Commission in Ashgabat. She will be visiting Ashgabat in her capacity as co-chair from the Pakistan side. The Pakistan delegation comprises of senior officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Petroleum and Natural Resources. The Joint Government Commission reviews the entire range of bilateral agenda between the two countries. This would be the third session of the Joint Governmental Commission, and will focus on Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India Gas Pipelines, possibility of import of 1000 MW electricity from Turkmenistan, bilateral trade and investment, issues related to transit, establishment of communication links, expansion of cooperation in agriculture, human resource capacity building, as well as tourism. The two sides would also discuss cooperation in the areas of counter terrorism, anti-narcotics and other security related issues. Now you can ask questions please.
Question
Few days ago in the session of Cabinet Defence Committee, have any decisions been made regarding reopening of NATO supply routes and stoppage of drone attacks. Secondly, what has been the response of the United States on the parliamentary guidelines presented by National Defence Committee. Have there been any reassurances from the US? Thirdly, what is Pakistan’s reaction to the recent Agni V test fire by India?
A supplementary question to this, reportedly the Defence Committee of Cabinet is reluctant to restore the NATO supply immediately, is this a message from Pakistan to the US to stop further drone attacks. Your comments please.
Answer
The Defence Committee of the Cabinet discussed the guidelines approved by the Parliament, and it was decided that a work plan would be developed to ensure the effective implementation of the guidelines which have been provided by the Parliament. We are still in the process of developing the work plan and rest assured, that all the decisions taken by the government would be in the light of these guidelines.
As to our contact with the US, we are in contact with the US but as I have said, no final decision has been made until and unless the work plan is developed, and we finalize our next step in this regard.
About the Agni-V test fire from India, we were informed about it in accordance with the agreement we have with India which was signed in May 2005, regarding pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles.
Question
About the Defence Committee of Cabinet’s meeting, the Prime Minister, while chairing the meeting, spoke about the agenda taken up with the United States and one thing which was missing in the five points, spoken by the Prime Minister, was the cessation of drone attacks. Have we reached any sort of understanding with the US in this regard?
Answer
As I said basically at this stage, we are in the process of developing the roadmap as to how we want to discuss all these issues with the United States. Pakistan’s relations with the United States are very important. We want to address all issues on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest. I think we have made it very clear as to what we think about the drone attacks, and that they are a violation of our territorial integrity. We have conveyed our concerns over drone attacks in a very clear manner, and they do understand our red lines. We also appreciate their concerns so, at the end of the day, the two countries will have to find some mutually acceptable grounds as to how we want to move forward.
Question
First question, are we expecting Mr. Mark Grossman’s visit soon to Pakistan, and second question whether Pakistan has decided to participate in the upcoming Chicago Summit or not?
Answer
No final decision on both the cases has been made as yet.
Question
According to the media reports, Pakistan has not yet received a formal invitation for the Chicago Summit. My second question is regarding the exit of Osama bin Laden’s family?
Answer
Regarding your second question, the matter is being handled by the Ministry of Interior, and I would refer you to them. Regarding your first question, nothing is final as yet.
Question
Regarding the developing of a work plan to carry forward the Pak-US relations, whether Pakistan is in a consultation phase with the United States on parallel grounds, and secondly, there is a confusion that after parliament has given its final guidelines regarding Pak-US relations and the decision is final by the Parliament. Are the current negotiations between Pakistan and US an attempt to create flexibility in the guidelines?
Answer
Developing the work plan is our responsibility, and we would develop it in a way that it ensures effective implementation of the parliamentary guidelines. We are not going to take any instructions on the matter. This is our own internal process and it will remain our internal process. Once we finalise the work plan, we will proceed accordingly.
Question
General Kayani in Skardu talked about the demilitarization of forces in Siachen. So, is there any change in the way things are being looked at in the Foreign Ministry as well. Your comments please?
Answer
Let me clarify to you that there is no change as far as the position of Pakistan on Siachen is concerned. As you all know, this is a part of the dialogue process, and it being discussed at the Defence Secretary level. The next meeting of the Defence Secretaries would take place in Pakistan. Both sides are working on finalizing the dates. It is in our mutual interest, both for Pakistan and India, that we address these issues in a meaningful and result-oriented manner. I would like to refer to the meeting of President Zardari with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week, and as you know, both the leaders underlined the importance of finding a pragmatic and practical solution to all issues.
Question
Regarding the Siachen issue, there have been various proposals made by various leaders as Mian Nawaz Sharif, PML(N) gave his proposal and General Kayani also gave a proposal, like implementation of 1989 declaration and going back to the 1984 position. Has Pakistan formally conveyed these proposals to India or these are for the domestic consumption?
Answer
I can tell you without getting into specifics of what Mian Sahib said, that yes, various proposals have been made under this Siachen dialogue process, and that includes redeployment of forces. I am not in a position to comment on what exactly is being discussed between the two countries, but I can tell you that the proposals we have made includes the redeployment of forces.
Question
When you talk of developing the work plan for Pakistan-US relations regarding restoration of NATO supply and other bilateral issues who are the other stakeholders in the process of this work plan? My second question is regarding an Assistant Manager of a multi-star hotel in Pakistan detained in Kabul by the Afghan police. What was the reason and what efforts are made on the part of Pakistan for his release?
Answer
Regarding your second question, I am not aware of this case. As to your first question regarding stakeholders, it would be basically a comprehensive undertaking. We are taking into account all the aspects including economic, security and political. So, accordingly all stakeholders will be included in the process.
Question
I would like to ask about the April 4 Gilgit-Baltistan incident, after which the Interior Minister Rehman Malik, in a statement to the media, said that the perpetrators belong to Kunar province of Afghanistan and we are talking to the Afghan Government regarding this issue. Are there any such things going on?
Answer
We are in constant touch with the Afghan government and are discussing all issues, of course, terrorism is one of the issues. I think both countries realise that it is a common threat and a cooperative approach is needed in this regard. About Malik Sahib’s statement, I think, he would be the best person to respond to what he has said. So, I would refer you to him.
Question
America is constructing the biggest seven-storey Embassy in Islamabad and our sensitive institutions have showed their reservations about it. My question is whether we have awarded them an NOC for construction of the building and what is the logic and justification behind construction of such a huge Embassy, rather the biggest US Embassy, and why in Pakistan?
Answer
We are looking into this issue.
Question
My question is regarding the bounty announced for Hafiz Saeed. He has approached the Lahore High Court for his protection stating that he had never been involved in any such attacks or the Mumbai attack. Has Pakistan taken up this issue strongly with the United States?
Answer
We have a very clear position on that. We have now a functional democracy in Pakistan and a very active judiciary. If somebody has any proof against anybody, he is most welcome to take it to the court. I think this is not something which really requires a consultation, as we have made it very clear in our statement.
Question
As you said we are restarting the negotiations with India very soon. Are we going with some fresh ideas regarding our approach to Siachen as the current stand has been going back to the 1984 position. Do you have any new ideas for the negotiations?
Answer
Whenever we will discuss this issue, we will discuss it in a manner that we find a practical and pragmatic solution of the Siachen Issue, based on mutual interests as was underscored by President Zardari and Prime Minister Singh in their meeting.
Question
At one end, you are thinking about the redeployment of troops in Siachen and on the other end, India is testing its Agni-V missile. What is the official stand of Pakistan in this regard keeping in view the acceleration of arms race in the region?
Answer
First of all, let me be clear to you that we are not thinking of redeployment of troops in Siachen. I said that the proposals we have made include mutual redeployment of troops. Regarding your question on India testing the Agni-V, as I have responded earlier, we were informed about it by India as per understanding between the two countries, that we would inform each other in advance regarding any such tests and our official position is very clear on the matter. I don’t really have anything to add to it.
Question
There are reports that before the deportation of Osama bin Laden’s family to Yemen and Saudi Arabia, Pakistani Foreign Office is required to write some letters to Saudi and Yemeni authorities.. Do you have any update on it?
Answer
As I have told you, the Ministry of Interior is basically handling the matter, and they are communicating with the Saudi and Yemeni authorities in this regard.
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