Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 19/03/2007

Transcript of Press Briefing on 19 March 2007

There was no opening statement made in the beginning, and the Press Conference opened with Question/Answer Session.

Question/Answer Session

Asked whether Canada has provided any ultra-modern technology to Pakistan as promised by the Canadian Foreign Minister when he visited Pakistan in order to enable it to check movement across the Pak-Afghan border, the Spokesperson said:

I do not know about ultra modern technology, but Canada had requested us to delay the implementation the decision to selectively mine the border and they would propose some alternatives for border-management. Yes, a 7-8 member Canadian delegation visited Pakistan . We were assured that they would come back to us with some proposals. It is our expectation that we may receive these proposals soon.

Asked about an update on the IPI Gas pipeline project, the Spokesperson said:

The outstanding issues such as pricing have been resolved. There have been meetings on other procedural matters. The Ministry of Petroleum would be able to enlighten you on that.

Asked about Pakistan 's reaction to the views expressed in international media by various organizations and human rights groups on the judicial reference in Pakistan and the issues surrounding it, the Spokesperson said:

There have been comments by the media, of course, and also by some human rights organizations. As for the judicial reference, this matter is sub-judice. I cannot comment on it and we would not like others to comment on it.

Asked, with reference to a report in the Indian magazine ‘Outlook' which claimed that the Indian officials have leaked the confidential evidence provided to India by Pakistan during the Anti-Terrorism mechanism meeting to media, the Spokesperson said:

I have not seen the “Outlook” and what it has published. I do not know if the evidence and information we gave to India has been leaked to the media. I would draw your attention to the Indian Foreign Secretary's statement during the joint press conference at which he said that we should only focus on what the Government of India has to say. In any case, the understanding between the two sides is that they would not conduct this mechanism through media. I will have to look at the magazine before I can comment.

Asked whether it was not high time that the Kashmiris were invited to join the peace process as the Kashmiri leaders have been asking, the Spokesperson said:

I am sure you are aware of Pakistan 's position. We have always said that Kashmiris are a party to this dispute. Any solution of the Kashmir dispute has to be acceptable to Pakistan , India and above all and most importantly to the people of Kashmir . Our position all along has been that Kashmiris should be included in the talks. However, that is not acceptable to India . But there have been discussions with the Kashmiris. They have been meeting with Pakistani leadership. They have been meeting each other. There have been some meetings between the Kashmiri leaders and the Indian leadership. Though they are not at the table, they are associated with the peace process. We have also assured them that Pakistan would not accept any solution to the Kashmir dispute which is not acceptable to the Kashmiri people.

Asked whether the dates for the India-Pakistan talks on Siachen have been finalised, the Spokesperson said:

Some dates were proposed by the Indian sides after the SAARC summit. India also proposed the schedule of other meetings. We are checking with our concerned departments and we will be responding to these suggestions very shortly.

When her comments were sought on the remarks by the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher on the judicial reference and di she not consider it interference in our internal affairs, the Spokesperson said:

Our position has been made clear. The matter of judicial reference is sub judice. I do not think Richard Boucher made any comments on his own. I understand that he was only responding to a question. The issue is why visitors should be asked to comment on an internal matter. It is your colleagues who first ask such questions and then raise hue and cry about it. Why visitors should be asked to comment about our internal issues in the first place. Boucher reportedly said that it is a sensitive situation that needs to be handled with care. I do not think his comments in no way imply interference in the internal matters of Pakistan especially when he did not offer this comment on his own.

Asked about the dates for the postponed Pakistan-US strategic dialogue meeting, the Spokesperson said:

What do you mean by postponed? There have been some reports in the media that the meeting was scheduled and postponed. I do not know if the news has anything to do with my comments. About two weeks ago, I had stated that the strategic dialogue was likely to take place in March. I did not have any confirmed dates. So there is no question of postponement. The meeting is very much on the agenda and the two sides are in touch.

Asked if India had proposed any dates for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Pakistan , the Spokesperson said:

No, there are no dates as yet.

When her comments were sought on the sudden death of Pakistani cricket Coach Bob Woolmer, the Spokesperson said:

It is very sad. You would have seen the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan have expressed condolences at his death. The Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board has talked to his family. Mr. Bob Woolmer served Pakistan Cricket very sincerely. He was a very dedicated Coach. Since his association with Pakistani cricket in 2004, he had endeared himself to Pakistanis. We are very sad to lose him, that also at a time when our team was not doing well. It is particularly sad that he died after very poor performance by the team, and his life did not end on a happy note. Our Cricket Board officials are in touch with his family, and they have assured Mrs. Woolmer that the Cricket Board is ready to provide whatever help the family may require.

Asked as to what was the barometer to gauge the intentions of foreigners when they commented about the internal situation of Pakistan especially when President Musharraf himself was giving assurances to the visiting US dignitaries that free and fair elections in Pakistan would be held on time and why did Richard Boucher comment on the judicial issue, the Spokesperson said:

First of all the President's assurances are to the people of Pakistan . The barometer is that we do not expect outsiders to make comments about our internal matters. On the judicial reference, I have already said that I understand Richard Boucher did not offer any comments on his own; he was asked a very clear question and he was reacting to that. When we go asking people their views about any internal matter, the fault lies with us and you cannot blame others for what they say. The question is why do you need the views of the US and others on these matters?

Asked whether India had shared any information about the Samjotha train terrorist act, the Spokesperson said:

When the Indian Foreign Secretary was here, he handed over the list of names and passport numbers of people who had boarded the train. That would help us identify Pakistanis among those who have been buried in India unidentified. Other than that they have not shared with us anything so far. We do not think that they have concluded their investigations. Investigations are continuing and we were assured once again during the Indian Foreign Secretary's visit that as soon as they have something, they would convey it to us.

When her comments were sought on the statement from the participants of the International Kashmir Conference urging Pakistan and India to resolve the Kashmir dispute within four to five years, the Spokesperson said:

The process is taking place. I cannot put any timeframe on this.

Asked about Pakistan 's position on the Hamas-Fatah coalition government in Palestine , the Spokesperson said:

We welcome this development. We had welcomed the agreement between Hamas and Fatah. We hope that the international community would assist the Palestinians in their endeavours, in the economic development and in making the government successful.

When her attention was drawn to the reports that Iran was going to seal the entry-exit points on Pak-Iran border, the Spokesperson said:

They have not sealed any designated entry or exit points. They remain operational. Every country is entitled to take whatever measures it wants for border control inside its own territory.

Asked whether Pakistan had received any concerns through the diplomatic channel concerning the Chief Justice case, and what about the situation surrounding it, the Spokesperson said:

No we have not. I have already said the matter is sub-judice. We do not expect comments from the international community about that. As for the situation surrounding it, if there are any questions, the Minister of State for Information Mr. Tariq Azim may be contacted.