Statement by H.E. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar

Foreign Minister of Pakistan,

at the Meeting of OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir (Cairo, 5 February 2013)

meets with the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Turkey on 6th

Secretary General, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu,

Excellencies

Distinguished participants

Excellencies,

I am honoured to address this meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir on a day when Pakistanis all over the world observe solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This is the third meeting of the Contact Group in less than six months – an expression of importance that OIC and members states attach to the protracted issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

On behalf of the Government of Pakistan and on my own behalf I convey my sincere gratitude to Your Excellencies for being here with us. I also thank the OIC member states who have extended unequivocal and unconditional support to a cause which has remained on the agenda of OIC since its formation. I deeply appreciate the efforts made by Your Excellency in your capacity as the OIC Secretary General to project the Jammu and Kashmir issue at the international level. The OIC Secretariat also deserves special commendation. I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Government of Egypt for the excellent arrangements made for the 12th OIC Summit in this historical city of Cairo.

Excellencies

The OIC has consistently supported the Kashmir cause and has always expressed Ummah’s concern over the absence of   progress on Kashmir dispute. OIC message has been clear: Implement the UN Security Council Resolutions which affirm Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. The support of the OIC member states to the Kashmir cause is highly valued by the Kashmiris and the people of Pakistan.

Excellencies,

It is unfortunate that since 1948 Kashmiris’ right to self determination has been denied. This right is enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions and is in full accord with international law. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, during his  address at the 67^th session of the UNGA reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to support the right of people of Jammu and Kashmir  to peacefully determine their destiny in accordance with the UN Security Council’s  resolutions.

We appreciate the consistent support of the OIC member states in impressing upon the Government of India and the international community to fulfill its promise to the Kashmiri people as enshrined in the UN resolutions.

Excellencies,

The struggle for self determination has cost Kashmiris dearly in terms of human, economic and social losses. But this has not weakened the resolve of the Kashmiri people.

Sadly, human rights violations of the people of Kashmir continue unabated with impunity.  The fundamental rights of the people of Kashmir have been trampled through invoking the Armed Forces Special Power which has been termed as ‘draconian’ and ‘hated’ and “a violation of International Law” by Mr. Christof Heyns, UN Special Rapporteur. Instruments of human rights violations, including rape, fake encounters, custodial killings and arrests are being used by the security forces in IoK. Despite the signals that sometime emanate from India that the security forces presence in Kashmir would be reduced, the number of the Indian occupied forces has not gone down.

The discovery of mass graves is a matter of concern not only to Kashmiri but to the whole international community. The demand to conduct an impartial inquiry into the mass graves and forensic identification of dead bodies has received muted response from the Indian authorities. Pakistan shares the concern of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and international human rights organizations over the persistent violations of the human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan reiterates it demand and calls upon the Government of India to exercise restraint, stop killing of innocent Kashmiris and ensure those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice. India must also take steps for early release of political prisoners and repeal the draconian laws.  Some international organizations have reported about human rights violations in IoK.OIC can help in compiling a report on human right situation in Indian occupied Kashmir for the information of OIC member states.

Excellencies,

Pakistan has entered into dialogue with India in good faith to amicably resolve the Kashmir dispute. We are earnestly implementing the Cross-LoC confidence building measures (CBMs) to bring relief to the divided families and reduce the sufferings of the Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC.  These CBMs have contributed towards the creation of a congenial environment between the two countries to address the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

During discussions with my Indian counterpart, we have repeatedly emphasized the need to address the Kashmir dispute in the larger interest of bringing peace and stability to South Asia and ameliorating the sufferings of the Kashmiri people.

During the recent violations of the LoC, there have been negative and hostile statements emanating fromthe Indian leadership. I am pleased to state that despite these provocations, Pakistan has chosen to exercise restraints to keep Pak- India peace process on track. We are ready to work with United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to carry out an independent inquiry into the ceasefire violations.  We would also welcome an OIC fact finding mission to investigate the recent incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC.

Pakistan is convinced that the key to enduring peace and security in South Asia lies in resolving the longstanding dispute of Kashmir. We are committed to finding a just and peaceful resolution of the dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. To this end we believe that the Kashmiris should be associated with the dialogue process. We hope that the Government of India would reciprocate Pakistan’s principled approach and initiate appropriate steps measures for an early resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Excellencies,

The resolution of Jammu and Kashmir would usher in era of peace in South Asia home to nearly 22% of the world population.

We appreciate the support extended to the Kashmir cause by the OIC member states expressed through OIC resolutions. We  reiterate our request to implement these resolutions as well as the recommendations contained in the report of OIC Secretary General’s Special Representative for Jammu and Kashmir, particularly: i)Islamic Universities may be requested to provide scholarship to Kashmir students; ii.)Kashmiri youth may be extended training in the OIC Statistical, Economic, and Social & Research Training Centre in Ankara.

I would once again convey my profound gratitude to the Secretary General of OIC and the governments of Niger, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, for their constant support for the Kashmir cause. I am also grateful to all of you Excellencies, for your participation in the meeting.

Allah bless you all.

Press Release

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister meets with the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Turkey

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar met with the Foreign Minister of Iran Mr. Ali Akber Salehi on the side lines of the 12th OIC Summit in Cairo. Foreign Minister Khar said that Pakistan enjoyed deep rooted brotherly bilateral relations with Iran and noted that the cooperation between the two countries was on a positive trajectory. She, however, emphasised on taking effective steps to particularly increase bilateral trade. She informed the Iranian Foreign Minister that Pakistan attached great importance to the early completion of Iran Pakistan Gas Pipeline project.

Foreign Minister Khar also held a detailed meeting with her Turkish counterpart Mr. Ahmet Davutoglu. Both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the excellent relations between the two countries and underlined the importance of translating these relations into broad-based and multifaceted cooperation in every field. They also discussed the situation in Syria and Afghanistan and agreed to continue working closely for the peace and stability of these countries.

Islamabad

06 February 2013

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Statement by Foreign Minister of Pakistan

Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar

Pakistan and India are both important countries of South Asia.  It is imperative that they demonstrate requisite responsibility for ensuring peace by addressing all concerns through dialogue.  Rhetoric and ratcheting up of tensions is certainly counter-productive. We are saddened and disappointed at the continued negative statements emanating from India both from the media as well as certain Indian leaders. For its part, Pakistan has observed a measured and deliberate self-restraint in our public statements on India. This has been done keeping in view the interest of peace in the region.

We have invested hugely in the dialogue process and have worked energetically to keep the dialogue process moving forward in a sustained and constructive manner.  Pakistan has gone out of the way to build constructive relationship with India.

Instead of issuing belligerent statements by the military and political leaders from across the border and ratcheting up tension, it is advisable for the two countries to discuss all concerns related to Line of Control (LoC) with a view to reinforcing respect for the ceasefire, may be at the level of the Foreign Ministers to sort out things.  Continued tension along the LoC is not in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

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  Foreign Minister of Pakistan,

at the Open Debate of the Security Council on

‘A comprehensive approach to counter-terrorism’

Allow me to begin by thanking all Council members for supporting Pakistan in putting the theme of A Comprehensive Approach to Counter-terrorism on the Council’s agenda for an open debate culminating in a Presidential Statement.

In this regard, we are also thankful to the Secretary General for his constant help and guidance.

While choosing this theme, we knew that this was a difficult subject but certainly one that needed the Council’s attention and pronouncement because as the threat of terrorism continues to evolve, so must our strategies to deal with it.

This threat is not for today or tomorrow or for the next week or a year. It is a long haul. We all have to brace for it. We all have to continue to prepare for it.

Pakistan’s initiative for this debate is rooted in our shared objective of global peace, security, stability and development. As a threat to international peace and security, terrorism has a direct bearing on all of our countries and regions; as well as on individuals and societies. The last decade has shown that terrorism knows no geographical boundaries.

In the past decade, one lesson we have all learnt is that a lopsided or uni-dimensional approach will not work as we try to defeat this hydra-headed monster of terrorism. This monster has tentacles all around the world. This is truly a global threat. Our strategies and responses, therefore, must also be global.

The United Nations Security Council and the UN as a whole have already done impressive work by developing the legal and normative framework for countering terrorism and by creating mechanisms for implementation.

So what is it that we all want to accomplish under this new initiative?

After fighting terrorism for the past ten years, we have the benefit of hindsight and an unprecedented opportunity to deal, both with the symptoms and the causes of terrorism.  We all are deeply aware of the unintended consequences of political decisions that can fuel the scourge of terrorism.  Short-sighted methods of dealing with terrorism can offer ideological fodder to the cause of terrorism.

What we are looking for is a comprehensive and interlocking approach which is much more effective than our present effort and which is geared towards not only winning the battles but also the final war.

We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purpose. All acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations.  In the past decade, we have collaborated, as international community, to impede, impair, isolate and incapacitate the terrorist threat.  We must attack and dismantle terrorist networks because they defy the writ of the State and kill civilians. And we must persevere in our efforts to deter and defeat terrorists militarily.

Yet our success is – at best – only partial.

It is both conventional wisdom and a compelling reality that terrorism will not be defeated alone by law enforcement measures, or intelligence operations or military and security strategies.  That is why we need a comprehensive approach.

For sustainable solutions, we need to intensify our efforts to resolve long festering conflicts and crises that spawn extremism.

Terrorists’ misleading, distorted and malicious narrative, and their demented ideology that justifies killing of innocent people must be quashed by the international community, by the UN Security Council. It is our responsibility to counter terrorists’ propaganda. Our stories about human dignity and values should be louder than their criminal saga.  We must move in concert to decrease the ideological space in which terrorists operate.

Development and security are interrelated.  Development helps meet basic human needs, build community resilience, and prevent terrorism. Job creation for youth and their participation in socio-economic development, create an enabling environment for the success of counter-terrorism policies.

Special emphasis needs to be laid on creating opportunities for people in regions scarred by terrorism to be gainfully employed – so that “terrorists” cannot lure them to their side.

We in Pakistan have seen that nothing works better as an effort by the international community in this regard than allowing preferential market access to products produced within the region wracked by terrorism.

An even more important track is dialogue. All those who have chosen the path of terrorism but are willing to renounce violence should be brought back to national and societal mainstreams. Reconciliation must be promoted. Fissures must be bridged.

We also have to foster a culture of promotion of the rule of law, protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and prevalence of good governance and tolerance.

I would add a few more points to emphasize why counter-terrorism needs to be the focus of the Council.

One, terrorism continues to mutate into newer and different forms.  Terrorists use new information and communication technologies and the Internet for recruitment and incitement as well for planning and financing their activities. Counter-terrorism efforts need to adapt to these challenges and develop quick response strategies for real-time response.

Two, we should address the root causes of terrorism. Deprivation, marginalization, exclusion, and stereotyping often create conditions for a drift to terrorism.  This drift should be stemmed.

Three, our collective and national measures to countering all forms of financing of terrorism, including through the proceeds of organized crime and illicit narcotics, should be made more effective.

Four, terrorism and extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, race, region, value system, or society. Attributing encouragement, incitement or inspiration of terrorist acts to any religious tradition or doctrine is unacceptable. An honest dialogue between different religions and civilizations is, therefore, a continuing political imperative.

Excellencies,

In the fight against terrorism, regional and sub-regional efforts are extremely important. We need regional cooperation to impart education, to bolster criminal justice system, to enhance connectivity, to secure borders, and to tighten financial controls.

Besides, regional cooperation is necessary to guarantee lasting peace and security.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have taken steps towards a strategic relationship to jointly fight terrorism. This is a multi-pronged approach to counter terrorism. We are supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-driven reconciliation process; and efforts aimed at creating a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. We believe that peace and stability in Afghanistan will have a direct salutary impact on Pakistan.

Excellencies,

Terrorism remains a serious threat to Pakistan.

We have been one of the biggest victims of terrorism. We can, therefore, relate to, feel, and share the pain and suffering caused by terrorism anywhere in the world.

Pakistan’s comprehensive approach to counter terrorism is based on Three D’s:, deterrence, development and dialogue.  The entire nation, the government, the Parliament, the judiciary and the civil society are determined to fight terrorism and extremism.

Under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, we have pursued a multifaceted policy to deal with the threat of terrorism in a holistic and sustainable manner.

Pakistan has led from the front in the international community’s fight against terrorism. Much of the success in global fight against terrorism has been made possible with Pakistan’s support and active cooperation. This success has come with a heavy cost for Pakistan and our people. But this has not deterred our resolve. Pakistan’s community resilience has been second to none.

The Pakistani armed forces and law enforcement officials have defended Pakistan, and the rest of the world, against the terrorist threat at great cost. Some 150,000 troops are deployed on the Pak-Afghan border to detect and degrade these ubiquitous terrorists who are enemies of our people.  Seven thousand brave Pakistani soldiers and policemen and over 37,000 innocent civilians, including women and children, have fallen victim to the blight of terrorism. Thousands have been injured and disabled.

Pakistan’s most popular leader, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated in 2007. Recently, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa leader and senior Minister Bashir Bilour, who spoke courageously against terrorism, was killed in a suicide bombing attack. Even the young, innocent teenage girl – Malala Yousafzai – could not escape the bullet of a terrorist. She survived and we hope her life will be a testimony of the resilience of the Pakistani people.

Terrorists gain strength from various sources of financing. We should continue to refine measures to prevent and suppress their sources of funding coming from the abuse of charitable non-profit organizations as well as from the proceeds from organized crime and illicit narcotics. Pakistan recently hosted a successful regional Conference on Counter-Narcotics.

We have also launched a thorough public awareness campaign about the atrocities committed by terrorists.

Success of a counter-terrorist offensive cannot be measured only by defeat of terrorists. After successful operation in Swat and Malakand we had to first absorb and then rehabilitate 2.2 million displaced persons, through a massive national effort.

We also are focusing on the well-being and appropriate rehabilitation of victims. We have invested energy and resources in de-radicalization, so that misguided youth can be re-integrated into society. We have established one such de-radicalization center at Saboon for that purpose.

Capacity building needs of partner countries must be addressed with seriousness. Reluctance to share critical equipment and intelligence amounts to weakening those pitted against terrorists.

Terrorism undermines global stability and prosperity. It undermined Pakistan’s stability and economic prospects. That is why we have asked our partners in the international community to enhance our market access for the products in which we have comparative advantages.

We believe in balancing hard core national strategies with socio-economic and community driven plans. The Government of Pakistan is also investing in development of affected areas including in education, health, tourism and sports, and construction of roads, dams, canals and hydroelectric projects.

Excellencies,

The UN and its subsidiary bodies have an important role in the implementation of its resolutions, the development of discourse on counter terrorism, and the dissemination of best practices. The United Nations should continue to play a visible and effective role in leading counter-terrorism efforts. In this regard, it is critical that we maximize transparency, efficiency, coordination and synergy within the UN system.

Let me conclude by emphasizing that terrorism threatens us all. Joining forces and strengthening cooperation is key to success at the national and international levels.  States need to continue to work more closely in the implementation of their counter terrorism strategies. Terrorism can only be defeated by comprehensive and collective endeavors of the international community in a cooperative framework. Pakistan will continue to play its role in this collective undertaking.

I thank you all.

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Press Release

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani will be visiting the United Kingdom from 8-13 May 2012 to attend the 1^st Annual Review Meeting of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue. He will be accompanied by a high level delegation including senior Ministers and Parliamentarians.

The two sides formally launched the Dialogue in April 2011 during the visit of Prime Minister David Cameron to Islamabad. The Dialogue covers five areas of bilateral cooperation including trade and business, finance and development assistance, education and health, culture, and defence and security.

During the visit the two Prime Ministers will review the progress on the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue and launch a Trade and Investment Roadmap to increase the volume of trade to £2.5 billion by 2015.

The program of the visit includes interaction with British Parliamentarians, Members of the Cabinet, and meetings with prominent British businessmen, investors and the media. The Prime Minister will also address a community gathering and lay the foundation stone of the Consular Hall in the High Commission.

Pakistan and UK are bound by ties that are rooted in shared history, cultural values and people-to-people contacts. Over one million Britons of Pakistan origin / heritage provide a living bridge between the two countries. They have contributed significantly to the deepening of relations between Pakistan and the UK.

The United Kingdom is Pakistan’s second largest trading partner in Europe and an important source of foreign investment and remittances. The UK has been Pakistan’s consistent supporter in gaining enhanced trade access to the EU, including through GSP+.

The United Kingdom is one of Pakistan’s major development partners. It has provided assistance in a number of areas including education. Prime Minister Cameron had committed UK assistance of £650 million for primary education in Pakistan. This is the largest education assistance by UK in the world. Besides, UK has agreed to facilitate academic links, student exchanges and increase numbers of Pakistani students in its Universities.

 The visit of the Prime Minister will further enhance the existing relations between the two countries. Both the countries cooperate and coordinate on global and regional issues with a view to promoting stability, peace and security. The Enhanced Strategic Dialogue will provide the two leaders an opportunity to identify ways and means to further raise the level of cooperation in the various areas of mutual concern.

Islamabad

25 April 2012

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By Aryn Baker

February 1, 2012

Crux of interview given below:

TIME: There has been a lot of speculation that you will also be discussing opening a second negotiating track with the Taliban in Saudi Arabia.

HRK: …. The only purpose of my visit is to reach out to Afghanistan, to give them the confidence that whatever path the Afghans choose for themselves, they will find Pakistan to be behind them.

XXXX

TIME: How do Pakistan’s goals for Afghanistan differ from those of the United States and NATO?

HRK: Pakistan’s desires and hopes for Afghanistan are nothing more than a peaceful, stable Afghanistan. It may be friendly to Pakistan, or it may not. It is a sovereign country to decide who it wants to be friendly with or not….. the most important thing is not to promote militancy in the search for solutions. For instance — drone strikes in Pakistan. For us all of those things matter because they leave an effect. They may not matter so much to those who will not be here to see the negative effects of all that.

XXX

TIME: What about in Pakistan?

HRK: I think the way some of the U.S.’s actions  have been carried out have been exceptionally detrimental to the long time partnership between the U.S. and Pakistan.

TIME: Haven’t the political and military leadership exacerbated the problem for their own popular gains?  Using anti-Americanism to rally support?

HRK: I don’t think the PPP has ever opted to appear anti-American or hostile to the Americans. If anything we have tried to open up space for all the positive things the U.S. has tried to do. But what an ordinary Pakistani has seen over the past ten years is an escalation in suicide bomb attacks and security risks to their lives and the lives of their children. The fact that our economy has suffered $70 billion in losses [from the battle against militancy]. And yet we are told on a daily basis how much assistance we are being given from the U.S. What you call Coalition Support Funds, that is reimbursement on expenditures that we have spent [on securing] the western borders. So an average Pakistan feels worse off from being a partner in this particular [war].

….I think it is unfair to say that Pakistani leaders have fueled anti-Americanism. But if Parliament speaks in one unanimous voice on a certain point, you [the Americans] have to be mindful of that and respectful of the will of the people.

XXXX

TIME: What do you mean by deals on the side?

HRK: It is the parliament of Pakistan that must decide whether it is time for military action in one area or not. And secondly, please let’s not overlook all the work that we have done in the last few years. We have had many military actions in the past. You can’t do everything at the same time. What is expected of Pakistan [in the tribal areas] is what even 48 countries cannot achieve on the other side of the border. It is completely unrealistic.

TIME: Yet clearly there has been support within the military for the U.S. drone program, even if Parliament has been against it. Doesn’t this indicate a two-track relationship?

HRK: There is not a single military person to date that has ever accepted in front of me that they have ever been supportive of drones. There is nobody in Pakistan who has ever been supportive of this. The national interests of a country are defined by the parliament. It is the security interests of a country that are defined by the military. As far as the case of Pakistan is concerned, the military will work with whoever has political ownership. The military cannot act without being authorized.

TIME: Until November, the U.S. operated its drone program out of an airbase in Pakistan. Clearly, someone was supportive of the drone program. That could not have happened without Pakistani military assistance.

HRK: This is what I am saying, when I talk about doing only acceptable to the people of Pakistan. That authorization was given in an era where there was no functioning parliament.

TIME: Are there any other red lines?

HRK: No unilateral action at any level, of any type. …. You see what was really scary was the fact that in the U.S. CentCom report [on the investigation into the incident] they quote the trust deficit as one of the reasons why our people were not warned 72 hours before that a small operation was to take place.

TIME: Can the Americans trust the Pakistani military then? It has acted above the law on several occasions.

HRK: …The military has a real presence in this country. But there is also a constitution in this county, and the military cannot go beyond that constitution, and as you see them right now they are working in the framework of that particular constitution, and I think it would be unfair to say they are working in cahoots with someone else, and I have no reason to believe that anyone is doing that.

TIME: Is this an evolution, that the government is now dictating the military’s actions?

HRK: The military is part of Pakistan. I do not want Pakistan to appear to be a civilian vs. military paradigm. The military is part of the executive, it works under the executive. Because of the fact that the military has in some ways been in power for 33 years, I think the expectation level of the military internally and externally is just very different than what it ought to be. And I think that is going to be put right. And it is going to be through governments like this where the due processes work, the system delivers, the systems work, there is a clear and simple transition from one government to another. 

Complete Interview :http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2012/02/01/time-exclusive-qa-with-pakistan-foreign-minister-hina-rabbani-khar/

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