Spokesman Briefings

Date: 02/04/2008

Record of the Press Briefing on 02 April, 2008

There was no opening statement.

Questions/Answers Session

Q: Has Pakistan proposed any delay in the Foreign Secretary level talks with India ?

A: Review meeting of the 4 th round of talks at Foreign Secretary level followed by initiation of the 5 th round of talks at Ministerial level is expected in a few weeks. Schedule for these meetings is being discussed through diplomatic channels. Dates will be announced as soon as agreed.

Q: How do you view the statement by the CIA Director about Pakistan ?

A: Gen. Michael Hayden has not said anything new. He has repeated what the U.S. intelligence community has generally been saying in the recent past regarding the presence of Al-Qaeda in the Pak-Afghan border areas. It needs to be mentioned that this border extends over two thousand kilometers. Such a statement does not help in tracing the alleged hideouts of Al-Qaida leaders.

There is a clear understanding for operations along the border. Pakistan 's security forces are exclusively responsible for action on our side of the border. The ISAF/NATO and Afghan National Army are responsible for military action on the Afghan side of the border.

Pakistan is committed to fighting extremism and terrorism in its own national interest. We are determined not to allow our territory to be used by terrorist elements against anyone. We also believe that a comprehensive strategy, including political and socio-economic development components, is essential for success in the counter-terrorism endeavour. We stress the importance of effective information and intelligence sharing. Pakistani forces will take action if any actionable intelligence is provided to us.

Q: NWFP Assembly has passed a strong resolution condemning the statement of the Director of CIA. Your comments please?

A: Director CIA had asked for it. We hope he will take note of the resolution of the NWFP Assembly.

Q: What is the update on exchange of prisoners' lists between Pakistan and India ?

A: On 31 st March, the governments of Pakistan and India exchanged the lists of prisoners detained in each other's jails. The lists were exchanged in accordance with the recommendations of the first meeting of Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners held in New Delhi on 26 February, 2008 .

Pakistan has provided complete lists of Indian civil prisoners and fishermen currently held in Pakistan . There are 53 Indian civil prisoners and 436 Indian fishermen in Pakistani prisons.

According to the lists provided by the Indian side, there are 133 Pakistani civil prisoners and 14 Pakistani fishermen in Indian prisons. The Indian lists are based on the data collected by the Indian authorities by 31 st March. Further information will be provided by the Indian side.

Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners will work on the basis of information provided by the two sides. The Committee will meet in Islamabad later this month. Dates for the meeting are being worked out by the two sides.

Q: According to a news report Pakistan has refused to take back a Pakistani woman being held in Indian jail. Any comments about this news report?

A: News reports are not necessarily correct. Pakistan has been working hard to get all the Pakistani prisoners back from India .

Q: What are your comments on the controversial film produced by the Dutch politician?

A: The news of Wilders' movie has generated intense reaction amongst Muslim communities across the world. Pakistan has raised this issue in Brussels , Vatican and The Hague . We have also sensitized governments in other European capitals. The Dutch Ambassador to Pakistan was called to the Foreign Office and a demarche was made.

We understand that the majority of Dutch population does not share the views of Mr. Wilders. Pakistan also acknowledges the response of the Dutch Government for showing understanding of the Muslim sensitivities and distancing itself from Mr. Wilders. The Dutch Government has also assured us that legal action against Mr. Wilders will be taken.

Q: Any information about the missing Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin?

A: All sources are deployed to locate and recover Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin. We will not hold back any information which we will be able to share with media without compromising the security of Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin.

Q: Russia is lobbying for providing supply route to NATO troops in Afghanistan . Your comments please?

A: This issue is between Russia and NATO. I have no comments to offer on this.

Q: What is Pakistan 's official position on the issue of disturbances in Tibet ? Will Pakistan participate in the Olympic Games?

A: Tibet is an inalienable part of China . This is universally recognized by the international community. Pakistan is firmly opposed to any attempts to undermine China 's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Olympic Games are the most important sports event for all the people around the world. The Olympic spirit embodies the commitment of the host country and its people towards peaceful development, harmonious society and people's happiness.

Pakistan opposes any attempts to politicize and subvert the Beijing Olympic Games. This includes the violent protests by certain vested interest to tarnish the spirit of the Olympic Games by encouraging violence in Tibet , which we condemn. Pakistan will participate in the Beijing Olympics and the Olympic Torch will pass through Pakistan on 16 th April 2008.

Q: Will there be a radical shift in Pakistan 's Kashmir policy and policy on war against terrorism with the change of the government?

A: It is the prerogative of the Government and the Parliament to form and adjust policies.

Q: What are your comments on the statement by the Afghan Parliamentary Affairs Minister about Pakistan dumping its nuclear waste in Afghanistan ?

A: We have not seen any official statement from the Afghan Government. We understand that the reported comments by the Afghan Minister were made to a journalist; the occasion and background of the Minister's conversation with the journalist remain unknown. Such comments, if made by anyone, are baseless and demonstrate ignorance. We are checking the veracity of report.

Disposal of nuclear waste in Pakistan is strictly regulated in accordance with the international standards. Our nuclear power stations are under IAEA safeguards which not only keep an oversight on their operations but also on storage of nuclear waste which has to be fully accounted for.

Q: India is continuously violating the Indus Water Treaty in the shape of building Baglihar Dam, Wuller Barrage and Kishanganga Dam. Your comments please?

A: The issue of Baglihar Dam was referred to the neutral experts who had submitted a report which has to be followed by both parties. We expect India to implement the report in letter and spirit. Talks on Wuller Barrage is a component of the Composite Dialogue process and being addressed actively. Pakistan Indus Water Commission has taken up the Kishanganga Dam issue with their Indian counterpart.

Q: What will be the role of the two appointed Ambassadors-at-Large? Is there a law on the number of Ambassadors-at-Large at a given time? Do they get diplomatic passports? What are other perks and privileges associated with the position?

A: There is no number fixed for appointment of Ambassadors-at-Large. They are assigned special duties by the Government in the conduct of foreign relations. Ambassadors-at-Large are issued diplomatic passports but there are no other perks and privileges associated with the position.

Q: Mehbooba Mufti said that for a final resolution; it is not only Srinagar and Valley – there are three different regions with different aspirations. What is Pakistan 's response to this statement?

A: I don't know the statement. However, it is Pakistan 's position that Kashmiris are a party to the Kashmir dispute and their aspirations should be taken into consideration in resolution of the dispute.

Q: When the detention of Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan will end?

A: I, as Spokesman of the Foreign Office, deal with the foreign policy issues. This question is beyond my purview.

Q: Is it a coincidence that APHC was not invited to the Pugwash conference in Islamabad ?

A: Pugwash is an NGO. They have determined their guest list on their own. The timings of the meetings were also decided by them. Initially we had seen the reports of the conference in the media a few weeks back. I am not aware of the criteria used for extending invitations to the participants.

Q: The Indian National Security Advisor had accused Pakistan of interference and support to violent groups in India . What is the reaction of Pakistan Government?

A: We have seen the statement made by India 's National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan. We strictly follow the policy of non interference. One should not overlook the fact that the cause of violence in Kashmir is linked to the Indian occupation. We reject any pretext which is used to cast shadow on the peace process between Pakistan and India .

Q: There is a public demand for expelling Danish Ambassador from Pakistan over the issue of re-printing of blasphemous caricatures in the Danish media. What are your comments?

A: Currently there is no Danish Ambassador in Islamabad . Denmark 's last Ambassador to Pakistan had returned to Copenhagen over one and a half year ago. Pakistan has strongly condemned the blasphemous act of re-printing of caricatures by Danish newspapers.