Spokesman Briefings

Date: 10/04/2008

Record of the Press Briefing on 10 April, 2008

There was no opening statement.

Questions/Answers Session

Q: In your last press briefing, you mentioned that Pakistan was checking veracity of the reported statement of an Afghan Minister alleging that Pakistan dumped nuclear waste on Afghan territory during Taliban rule. What is the progress on that issue?

A: 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.

Pakistan has taken up the matter with the Afghan Foreign Office which neither confirmed the statement of their Parliamentary Affairs Minister nor commented upon it.

I would once again repeat that the allegations that Pakistan had dumped the nuclear waste are baseless and demonstrate ignorance.

If Afghan Government has any doubts, Pakistan would suggest that it should invite experts from IAEA to inspect the site where nuclear waste is allegedly dumped. The international experts could easily verify if the waste is there. Since nuclear waste carry distinct signatures, the experts could also verify its origin.

Q: Various reports have indicated the fate of politically appointed High Commissioners/Ambassadors of Pakistan since Prime Minister took office. What would you like to comment regarding their fate?

A: We have also read these news stories which are based on speculations. The Government has the prerogative to recall any Ambassador whether on contract or a regular appointee. Whenever the Government takes a decision to recall an Ambassador or appoint a new one, announcement will be made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as per practice.

Q: What does Pakistan expect from President's visit to China and how many ministers of Pakistan Muslim League (N) are visiting China along with the President?

A: We have issued a detailed curtain raiser on the visit yesterday. If you have not received it please download it from Ministry's website. Foreign Minister, Defence Minister and three other ministerial rank officials are accompanying the President on his visit to China . The party affiliation of the Minister is no consideration for selection of the members of delegation.

Q: Has any country reacted to the Foreign Minister's statement regarding Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan? Is any western country interested in questioning him?

A: In response to a question from the media the Foreign Minister had said that Dr. A. Q. Khan is a national hero and he is an old man and not keeping good health; there will be no harm to allow him to meet friends, go out on a drive or eat in a restaurant. No country has reacted to the Foreign Minister's statement or have demanded to question him as internationally the A.Q. Khan issue is a closed chapter.

Q: The Olympic games are being politicized. Demonstrations are being held against China in the West. What is Pakistan 's point of view about these activities?

A: The Olympic games are the most important sports event for all the people around the world. Pakistan opposes any attempts to politicize and subvert the Beijing Olympic games.

Q: Do you expect any demonstration when the Olympic torch visits Pakistan ?

A: The Olympic torch relay will be held in Islamabad on 16 April. We do not expect any disturbances on that occasion. All measures are being taken to hold the event safely and successfully.

Q: A leader from Indian Held Kashmir proposed establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Commission with representation from both sides of the Line of Control. What is Pakistan 's position on this?

A: Pakistan believes that focus needs to be on the resolution of dispute which has caused so much suffering to Kashmiri people in the Indian Held Kashmir. A Truth and Reconciliation Commission could be established after resolution of the dispute.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa , which is a reference point for all such proposals, was established after the apartheid regime ended in that country.

Q: When the Composite Dialogue review meetings will be held and what are the important highlights of this Dialogue?

A: The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister level review of the Fourth Round of Pakistan-India Composite Dialogue will be held on 20 May 2008 and 21 May 2008 respectively in Islamabad .

During 2007, talks on all eight segments of the Composite Dialogue were held. They are: (i) Peace and Security including CBMs; (ii) Jammu and Kashmir; (iii) Siachen; (iv) Sir Creek; (v) Wullar Barrage; (vi) Terrorism and Drugs Trafficking; (vii) Economic and Commercial Cooperation; and (viii) Promotion of Friendly Exchanges.

Discussion on the Jammu & Kashmir dispute is part of the Composite Dialogue. Although this dispute has also been under focus of attention for a just settlement at various other levels of interaction, including summit level meetings.

Within the framework of Composite Dialogue, we also emphasized the need for resolving all other outstanding issues.

Under the Composite Dialogue mechanism the two countries have also been discussing CBMs many of which have been in place to bring about improvement in bilateral relations.

The review meetings will help the two sides to assess the progress made in the fourth round of the eight segments of Composite Dialogue process and deliberate on how to address the out-standing issues in a more meaningful way.

Q: US Democratic Party legislators have written a letter to President Bush asking the Administration to refocus attention on Pakistan-Afghanistan border. What is the Foreign Office's position on this letter?

A: The letter being referred to is addressed by Democratic leaders in the Congress to President Bush—communicating their views on what should be the US priorities in the war on terror and how they intend to follow-up on their four-point strategy proposed to the Administration.

As such it is not for us to comment on a communication between some US legislators and the Bush Administration.

The letter inter alia asks to ‘refocus' attention on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to address the Al-Qaeda threat. Our position is clear on this issue. We are fighting terrorism in our own national interest. We hold that a comprehensive strategy that encompasses political, socio-economic development and security tracks is essential to eliminate this threat.

Q: In the Indian Held Kashmir, 1000 nameless graves were discovered which are believed to be that of the missing Kashmiris who are waging struggle against Indian occupation. What is your reaction to the news item?

A: Pakistan is deeply concerned on the reports of discovery of 1000 nameless graves in Kashmir . India should allow international human rights organizations to conduct an independent investigation in the issues of disappeared persons and discovery of nameless graves.

Q: A local newspaper has filed several stories alleging irregularities in issuance of visas to Nigerian nationals while reporting the proceedings of the meeting of the Senate Committee on Narcotics Control. What are the Foreign Office's comments on these news stories? How will they effect Pakistan 's relations with Africa ?

A: The news stories that have appeared in a newspaper gave an incorrect picture and are regrettable. Our missions abroad including that in Abuja abide by the instructions received from Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Narcotics Control and Anti-Narcotics Forces (ANF), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others while issuing visas to foreign nationals.

Our mission in Abuja is also following the procedures recommended by ANF first in March 2006 and then by security agencies in September 2007.

According to these procedures Nigerian nationals intending to visit Pakistan for business purposes are required to produce; (i) invitations from well established Pakistani companies; (ii) local company/sponsor document; (iii) certification from the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); and (iv) a certificate from a Pakistani chamber of commerce.

It may also be noted that all our missions are also sent information on blacklisted individuals to whom visas are not issued.

Pakistan is cooperating with the international community in fighting the menace of drug trafficking. Pakistan 's efforts in this regard are appreciated internationally. The challenge of narco trade requires intensified international efforts.

It must be stated that Pakistan seeks close and friendly relations with African countries and have a consistent policy to promote and strengthen relations with them.

We maintain close cooperation with African countries in multilateral fora, particularly the United Nations. We are making efforts to enhance economic and trade interaction with the African continent. This is consistent with the important trend of cooperation between African continent and major Asian countries which should be visible to every one. We cannot allow any elements to detrack us from our policy and our efforts for this purpose.