Spokesman Briefings
Date: 24/04/2008
Record of the Weekly Press Briefing on 24 April, 2008
Opening Statement
There was a firing and shelling incident and intrusion of our border post in Bajour Agency yesterday. We have lodged strong protest with the Afghan and ISAF side and told them in clear terms that such incidents must not be repeated. We also protested the death of one of our security personal as a result of firing from the other side. It was explained to us that the ISAF/Afghan forces were operating against the Taliban who were active in the area and attacked an Afghan border post. We emphasized that military action on Pakistan side is the exclusive responsibility of Pakistani forces.
Questions/Answers Session Q: What is Foreign Office doing with regard to taking the case of Benazir Bhutto's assassination to the UN for probe as decided by the government? Has Foreign Office received instructions from the government?
A: Foreign Office is part of the government and as such it will implement all the decisions of the government. National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies have also adopted resolutions in support of taking the matter to the UN. However, an internal process within the Government of Pakistan is still continuing in the matter. Further action will be taken as soon as this process is completed.
Q: What is the significance of the visits of foreign dignitaries to Pakistan ?
A: The visits are taken in the context of bilateral political and economic relations. Also, the foreign dignitaries are availing the occasion to meet the new political leadership of Pakistan .
Q: What is the Government's strategy in addressing the menace of terrorism? Has any foreign government protested to Pakistan on this strategy?
A: The Government of Pakistan have a comprehensive strategy to address militancy and terrorism. Our strategy has three broad elements: political, socio-economic and military. We believe that military action alone will not be effective in permanently ending the phenomenon of terrorism.
We are reaching out to the tribal leaders and notables as part of the political element of our overall strategy in fight against terrorism. Political engagement is possible only with those who renounce militancy and violence; don't allow the use of our territory against any other country; and do not help foreign terrorist elements to find hideouts in our territory.
History suggests that the use of force alone can lead to self perpetuating violence. However, the determination to use force, wherever required, remains an important element of our strategy. We firmly believe that our focused and determined efforts, which have a combination of political, socio-economic and military elements, will lead to permanent end to militancy.
I am not aware of any government protesting against Pakistan 's strategy on its struggle against terrorism.
Q: Do you think that the release of Sufi Muhammad will ensure the release of Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin? When will Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin be rescued?
A: Sufi Muhammad's release is not linked with Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin's abduction. The Government of Pakistan is taking all possible measures to secure early return of Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin to his family.
Q: Will the Government negotiate with Baitullah Mahsud?
A: In response to a question I have just elaborated a clear strategy that Government of Pakistan has adopted in its fight against terrorism. I think my earlier response gives a clear answer to your question.
Q: When and at what level the protest over the Afghan attack on a Pakistani post launched?
A: The protest was launched today against the incursion that took place yesterday. There is a procedure of launching the protest. I will not go into the level at which the protest was launched.
Q: Was any timeframe for holding the joint Pak-Afghan peace Jirga discussed with the visiting Afghan Foreign Minister?
A: The holding of the first meeting of Peace Jirga was discussed between the two Foreign Ministers. The process to hold this Jirga will be initiated shortly.
Q: What is Government's response on the issue of mass graves which were discovered in the Indian Held Kashmir?
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: Were any new measures suggested on the issue of drug trafficking to the Afghan Foreign Minister?
A: Drug production and its trafficking is an issue of concern for Pakistan . It was discussed between the two Foreign Ministers. However, no new measures were suggested in this regard.
Q: What is the Afghan Government's reaction to Pakistan 's new policy on war against terrorism?
A: I believe Pakistan 's policy on war against terror is beneficial to Afghanistan also. I am not aware of any reaction.
Q: Afghan Foreign Minister has recently said that Pakistan is a big threat to peace in Afghanistan . What are your comments on that statement?
A: I have not seen any such statement by the Afghan Foreign Minister. However, negative statements by any side accusing the other do not help bilateral relationship or global war on terror.
Q: Will Pakistan allow Afghanistan to get wheat from India through Wagah? Will the transit facility be allowed for other items?
A: The Government of Pakistan would consider transit of wheat flour through Wagah, on case to case basis, if the Afghan Government requests for the same.
Q: When Khunjrab Pass between Pakistan and China will re-open for traffic?
A: After winter, the Khunjrab Pass is re-opened on 1 st of May every year.
Q: What will Pakistan do if ISAF/Afghan incursions continue in Pakistan 's territory? It seems that Pakistan 's protest carry little weight with ISAF?
A: There is an agreed mechanism in place to address such incursions. We always follow that mechanism. The issue is also raised at other levels whenever felt necessary.
Q: What can be done to make Pakistan 's response more effective?
A: An agreed mechanism of Tripartite Commission is there to resort to. We also use other channels to take up violations.
Q: Has the post in Bajour been vacated?
A: Yes, it has been vacated.
Q: Are there any new proposals for resolution of Kashmir dispute?
A: Kashmir is the core issue in Pakistan-India relations. Pakistan has already taken several initiatives. We believe that resolution of Kashmir dispute is important for peace and security in South Asia . The Indian Foreign Secretary and Minister for External Affairs will be visiting Pakistan on 21-22 May. Kashmir will be discussed with them also as a segment of the Composite Dialogue.
Q: What is the agenda and purpose of Iranian President's visit?
A: The Iranian President will be visiting Pakistan briefly on 28 th April. The focus of the visit is bilateral political and economic relations and to meet the new political leadership of Pakistan .
Q: In response to a question the European Union's High Representative Javier Solana said that the president Musharraf is elected president for five years term. What are your comments on his statement?
A: I think Mr. Solana was responding to a question posed by a journalist. I don't have a comment on this.
Q: Was the extradition treaty discussed between Pakistan and UK during David Miliband's visit?
A: The extradition treaty is a subject of the Home Secretary in UK and the Interior Ministry in Pakistan . The British Home Secretary visited Pakistan only a few days back.
Q: India has requested for clemency for Sarabjeet Singh. What is the Government of Pakistan's response?
A: The case of Sarabjeet Singh has gone through the full judicial process. If the Government of Pakistan takes any decision on the clemency appeal, it will be announced immediately.
Q: When Pakistan 's membership of Commonwealth will be restored?
A: Commonwealth has set the process to restore Pakistan 's membership to the Councils of the organization. CMAG is meeting next week; it may take this matter up.
Q: What are your comments on Baitullah Mahsud's statement about asking his followers to ceasefire?
A: I am sorry I can not comment on such statements.
Q: What is the latest on the IPI gas pipeline project?
A: We have finalized with Iran almost all legal, financial and technical aspects regarding the gas pipeline project. The Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement has been initialed and once approved, will be signed by both Pakistan and Iran .
We have reached broad agreement on transportation fee with India . However, the issue of transit fee remains to be resolved. The issue of transit fee is being discussed between the respective Ministers. The Indian Minister for Petroleum and Gas is in Pakistan to finalize the agreement.
Q: At what stage are the negotiations with regard to the TAPI gas pipeline project?
A: The 10 th Steering Committee meeting on TAPI gas pipeline project is being held in Islamabad . It was preceded by the meeting of the second Technical Working Group, which held on 21-22 April 2008.
The Technical Working Groups of the four countries viz Turkmenistan , Afghanistan , Pakistan and India held discussions to finalize the draft Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA), Heads of Agreement (HOA) and Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA).
If agreed by the parties, the Heads of Agreement will be signed and the Gas Pipeline Framework will be initiated by the respective Ministers.
The pricing formula will be worked out by the concerned countries at a later stage which will lead to the formalization of the Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA).
Q: According to reports Indian forces had detained some Pakistanis on charges of traveling to India with forged visas. What do you have to say in this regard?
A: we are in touch with the Indian authorities over the arrest of Pakistani nationals at Monabao border on Saturday 19 April 2008 . They were reported to have traveled to India on tampered visas. The matter is being investigated.
The Government of Pakistan will not spare any effort to secure the early release of the arrested Pakistanis.
Efforts are being made to apprehend the agents who may be involved in the reported tampering of visas. The immigration authorities at our side had been asked to be more vigilant about tampered documents.
Q: The media has reported a new US assistance package of $7 billion for Pakistan . Can you confirm it?
A: We have seen the story that appeared in a British newspaper on 17 th April entitled “US offers Pakistan Government $7 billion in non-military aid to fight terrorism”.
We are aware that some US legislators have proposed to enhance the assistance programme for Pakistan but we have not seen any formal proposal in this regard as yet. |