Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 04/06/2007

Record of Press briefing of Foreign Spokesperson on 04 June 2007

There was no opening statement.

Question/Answer Session:

When asked to comment on the statement of Indian security adviser advising the Sri Lankan government not to purchase arms from Pakistan or China the spokesperson said:

This is a matter which primarily concerns Sri Lankan government. Of course such statements raise questions about India 's policy and attitude towards its neighbours and the region. Pakistan is very clear in its position of principle that we do not accept hegemonic tendencies on the part of any country in our region. And that respect for sovereign equality is essential for peace and harmony in our region.

Asked, with reference to APHC leadership's demand for participation in the composite dialogue on Kashmir , the Spokesperson said:

This question has asked umpteenth times. This is the long standing demand of Kashmiris. You know our position. Pakistan has always supported the participation of Kashmiris in the peace process and we believe that any settlement of the Kashmir issue would have to take into account the aspirations of Kashmiris and it should be acceptable to Kashmiris.

Asked to comments regarding Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee's statement that no time frame could be given for the Kashmir issue and no demilitarization was possible in Kashmir , the Spokesperson said:

The settlement of the Kashmir issue depends on the political will in the two countries. If there is political will, it can be resolved quickly. Pakistan has demonstrated this political will. As regards the other elements of his statement, we have noted his remark that the peace process between Pakistan and India is making progress. Addressing the core issue of Kashmir is central to the peace process. And in addressing the Kashmir issue, any credible effort has to take into account Kashmiri aspirations and it has to be sensitive and responsive to their sentiments. Demilitarization, as we have seen, is a unanimous demand of all Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC. Any just and practical solution of the Kashmir issue would have to respond to the desires and demands of Kashmiris.

Asked to confirm reports regarding Prime Minister's visit to Kabul and the agenda of the visit, the Spokesperson said:

Yes, there is an invitation and he is considering it.

In response to a question that there was a growing impression in India and Pakistan that the ongoing judicial crisis in Pakistan may delay any outcome in negotiations between both countries and quoting an article of Tanvir Khan, the former Pakistani Foreign Secretary, in the daily Dawn pointed towards Indian mindset, what in Foreign Office view was in Indian mind? Also recently the BJP cautioned the Indian government that it would be better to wait for next government in Pakistan to continue the composite dialogue, the Spokesperson said:

We have not acquired the art of reading minds. The peace process is between Pakistan and India and it is continuing and any domestic event in either country should have no impact on it. This is not Pakistan 's position and we have received no such indication from India either.

When asked to confirmation reports in the press that US and some important western countries had had communication with Pakistan about the judicial crisis and whether these countries have also conveyed their concern to the government about restrictions on media in Pakistan , the Spokesperson said:

My answer to both questions is no.

Referring to her comments about political will being required to make progress on the peace process, whether this implied that there was a lack of such will on the Indian side, the Spokesperson said:

Don't read into my remarks what I did not say. I only talked about the Government of Pakistan. I cannot talk about any other government. I don't speak for the Indian Government. I repeat what I said - if there is political will, these issues can be resolved. And that Pakistan has demonstrated the political will require to address all the issues between Pakistan and India especially the Jammu & Kashmir issue.

Asked to comment on reports that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had cancelled his visit to UK to avoid meeting with Altaf Hussain and whether he would be going to Kabul soon, the Spokesperson said:

This is absolutely speculative. There have been reports in the media that PM has cancelled his visit. This is not true. There was an invitation from the British Prime Minister to attend a seminar. The Prime Minister considered it but decided not to go. As you know, a meeting of the National Security Council is taking place today. Therefore, the Prime Minister could not have traveled to UK . When he visits Kabul you will know.

Asked that the government has denied presence of Indian prisoners of war in Pakistan , however in view of the reports that some prisoners existed as far back as 1983 whose letters had also been published in the media, would the Pakistan government conduct further inquiries in the matter, the Spokesperson said:

I am glad you raised this issue. The Government of Pakistan, you would accept, in order to provide relief to the families and to bring a closure to this has made this humanitarian gesture. It should be accepted as such. We have allowed the families to visit the prisons they wanted to visit. They have been to the Lahore jail and have confirmed that there are no POWs. We have repeatedly said there are no POWs in Pakistan and we stand by this. This humanitarian step was taken to reassure the families. As I have been saying again and again on this forum the civilian prisoners are a humanitarian issue and we wish India would be as forthcoming as us on this issue. There are about 500 Pakistani civilian prisoners languishing in Indian jails right now. We have made a number of unilateral gestures. We have released fishermen and civilian prisoners. We took the initiative to set a committee of retired judges to visit the jails in both countries, to suggest improvements so that when our prisoners land from India they can at least recognize their families and know that they are home. That committee is still not active.

When asked to comment on Imran Khan's visit to UK to file a case against MQM chief Altaf Hussain and whether there was any contact between the Governments of Pakistan and UK on this, the Spokesperson said:

Pakistan and UK have a judicial cooperation working group. We talk about legal matters but as far as this specific matter is concerned I have no information. If you have any queries about the government's position, I suggest you address them to the Ministry of Interior. They have a briefing every Tuesday.

Asked about the progress on the extradition treaty with UK and if she could educate about the method by which people like Altaf Hussain could be brought back to Pakistan, the Spokesperson said:

I have no way of educating you on this. Regarding the extradition treaty, there are one or two remaining issues such as death penalty in our penal code which still need to be resolved.

Asked if Pakistan found India serious enough to continue to engage in dialogue on Kashmir and if she could report what progress had taken place on this issue in the last 3 years, the Spokesperson said:

A lot of progress has been made. There are CBMs. Dialogue on Kashmir is taking place at various levels but I don't have anything specific to report to you.