Spokesperson Briefings

Date: 28/05/2007

Record of Press briefing of Foreign Spokesperson on 28 May 2007

There was no Opening Statement

Question/Answer Session:

Asked for comments on the media reports about 10,000 illegal Pakistani immigrants were to be pushed towards Greece and Italy , the Spokesperson said:

The report is incorrect. Our Ambassador has not sent us any letter of this sort. Illegal immigration is a problem, which Pakistan , like many other countries, faces. We continue to have dialogue with other countries to resolve this issue. It is not only a question of illegal entry into another country but in many cases these immigrants end up in a very difficult situation, which makes a human disaster. These figures are exaggerated, though it is difficult to say how many illegal immigrants have traveled.

When asked whether European Parliament's adoption of Nicholson's “Report on Kashmir: Present Situation and Future Prospects” nullified the UN Security Council resolutions and if it was not an utter failure of Pakistan 's foreign policy, the Spokesperson said:

The European Parliament does not have the mandate or locus standi to nullify the UN Security Council resolutions. Only the UN Security Council can do that. It was not a failure of our foreign policy. The report has many factual inaccuracies. The report even though not balanced is an improvement on the first draft. There were around 450 amendments on the table of which over 100 were adopted. I do not agree with this conclusion. We have said that the report is not balanced and has many inaccuracies. All Kashmiris have unanimously rejected the report. Look at the reaction of the Kashmiri diaspora to the report. There are many things said which are not positive but there are many more who agree with our position.

As regards the success or failure of our position and policy on Jammu and Kashmir dispute, we measure it by the response of Kashmiris. Pakistan 's position and policy on Kashmir resonates with Kashmiris. That is why APHC and other Kashmiri leaders have been saying that the Kashmir should be resolved in the light of the President's proposals. For us the test for the credibility and strength of our position and policy is in the support of Kashmiri people and not some individual in Europe .

Asked whether the report also mentioned the present judicial crisis in Pakistan , the Spokesperson said:

Yes, the report also talks about the judicial issue and the rights of homosexuals in Pakistan . This demonstrates the credibility of this report.

When asked to comment on serious concerns expressed by key world capitals about the ongoing judicial crisis, the Spokesperson said:

No government has conveyed ‘serious concern' about our internal matters. We do not go around commenting on the internal developments in other countries, and every country has skeletons in their cupboards, not that I'm saying it's a skeleton in our cupboard. But this is an issue that is being addressed in the Supreme Court and we do not expect other countries to comment on that.

In response to comments about a letter from the head of the European Parliament to President Gen Pervez Musharraf expressing concern about Pakistan's domestic situation and about which the Spokesperson had said had said earlier that she had no information, proved that there was widespread concern in the international community, he had a copy of the letter and asked whether the President would respond to the letter the Spokesperson said:

You are very presumptuous to draw the conclusion that a letter from the President of European Parliament proved that there was widespread concern. Yes, a letter was received and if we deem it fit we will respond.

Asked about Pakistan 's position regarding the status of Northern Areas against the backdrop of a letter written by Pakistan 's Ambassador to Brussels to Baroness Emma Nicholson, the Spokesperson said:

Pakistan 's position is well known. Under the UN Security Council resolutions, plebiscite was to cover the Northern areas as well. However due to Indian reticence, plebiscite did not take place. Subsequently, the Northern areas were also referred to in the Owen Dixon plan. Therefore, all these areas were to be addressed in the overall settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. That is why the President's proposals talk about the identification of regions as the first point along with demilitarization, self-governance and joint management.

When her comments were sought on the border fencing by Iran , the Spokesperson said:

If Iran is building a fence on its side of the border, I do not have any comments on that. Pakistan has no reservation because Iran is constructing the fence on its territory. The designated entry points would be available for entry of goods and people. The Iranians convey to us that they are equally keen to promote trade and facilitate legitimate movement of people.

When asked to throw light “on the mood of international community” on the CJ issue, the Spokesperson said:

Their mood is their problem.

Asked to comment on the allegations against some Pakistani peacekeepers for smuggling of gold, the Spokesperson said:

The allegations are not against only Pakistani peacekeepers. The allegations against peacekeepers date back to 2005-06. The UN is investigating the issue. The UN has also stated that at the moment these are just allegations that are being investigated.

Asked whether the families of Indian POWs were visiting Pakistan on Wednesday, the Spokesperson said:

There are no Indian prisoners of war in Pakistan . However, at the repeated requests of Indian Government, we have some Indian families to visit. The government of Pakistan has allowed some Indian families to visit Pakistani jails on humanitarian grounds to assuage their concerns. The visit will start on June 1, and officials of the Interior Ministry will conduct their visit to about 10 jails. We want this visit to be transparent. We have nothing to hide. A bigger humanitarian issue is the condition of civilian prisoners, and Pakistan wants to see the early activation of the judicial committee on this issue.