Spokesman Briefings
Date: 21/08/2008
Record of the Press Briefing on 21 August 2008
There was no opening statement.
Question/Answer Session
Q: What is the update in case of Pakistani scientist Dr. Afia Siddiqui who is in US custody? Is Ministry of Foreign Affairs in touch with her family and what are the steps being taken to secure her release?
A:In case of Dr. Afia Siddiqui, we have been sharing information with media as and when it was available since her deportation to the US from Afghanistan. As I said earlier, consular access was provided to the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington and a 2 ½ hours long meeting was held with Dr. Afia Siddiqui in the presence of her lawyer. Ambassador Hussain Haqqani in Washington is personally supervising the matter and has appointed a senior diplomat for liaison. An Embassy representative is present on each court hearing of Dr. Afia Siddiqui.
Assistance required by Dr. Afia Siddiqui is being provided. As she was wounded and unwell, we took up the matter of provision of appropriate medical treatment to her. Her other immediate requirements are also being met.
Every possible effort is being made to protect Dr. Afia Siddiqui’s rights as an under-trial prisoner. We are also committed to seek repatriation of all Pakistani prisoners including that of Dr. Afia Siddiqui to Pakistan. I would reiterate that being Pakistan national Dr. Afia Siddiqui has a claim on us for her protection and welfare. The Government of Pakistan will do everything possible to fulfill its responsibilities towards her.
A delegation of Parliamentarians from Pakistan will be visiting Dr. Afia Siddiqui. In this regard we are seeking consular access for the visiting Parliamentarians and other officials from Pakistan.
On our demand that the children of Dr. Afia Siddiqui be returned to Pakistan, we have been told by the US authorities that the children are not in US custody. We will continue to look for the children of Dr. Afia Siddiqui.
According to the family, there has been a lot of misinformation in the media about Dr. Afia Siddiqui. For example it has been reported, particularly by the Western media, that Dr. Afia Siddiqui is a Ph.D either in biosciences or neurology. The correct position is Dr. Afia Siddiqui is an educationist with a Ph.D from Brandeis University, Boston. She was an undergraduate student in MIT. Contrary to the impression created by this misinformation, her education in no way could have trained her for either chemical or biological warfare.
Another misinformation is regarding her nationality. She is neither a US national nor holds dual nationality. She is a Pakistan national.
Dr. Afia Siddiqui has three children, two sons age 11 and 5 and a daughter age 9.
Dr. Afia Siddiqui’s family is in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and our Embassy in Washington. Sister of Dr. Afia Siddiqui, Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui had also met Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The Foreign Minister had assured her of all possible assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Embassy in Washington.
Q: Who will represent Pakistan at the SCO Summit?
A: No decision has been taken yet. But the likelihood is that Pakistan will be represented in the Summit at ministerial level.
Q: Is there any impact on the foreign policy after resignation of President Musharraf?
A: Parliament is the supreme policy making body. There were two detailed debates on foreign policy in Senate in the last few weeks. National Assembly has also discussed several foreign policy issues. Detailed debates like the one in Senate are also expected to take place in the National Assembly.
Q: Do you confirm appointment of Mr. Tariq Aziz as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India?
A: I have seen the news report but am not aware of any impending change in our High Commission in India.
Q: There is a news report that 35 Pakistani Olympic spectators were held as terror suspects by China. What is your information about the persons arrested and are you in touch with the Chinese authorities?
A: We have checked the veracity of the news item with the Chinese authorities and were told that it is incorrect. China has not arrested any Pakistani Olympic spectators.
Q: The meeting of Tripartite Commission was held earlier this week after a prolonged delay. How did the meeting go and will this process continue?
A: The Tripartite Commission is composed of senior military representatives from Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF. Its 23rd meeting was held in Afghanistan on 19th August 2008. Pakistani delegation to the Tripartite Commission was led by Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
The meeting reviewed the security situation in areas along Pakistan-Afghan border. The Commission expressed satisfaction at the existing level of cooperation and reiterated its resolve and commitment to contribute towards peace and security in the region.
Pakistan is committed to the Tripartite Commission’s mechanism and would continue collaboration with it.
Q: Reportedly there are concerns in the West about who holds the nuclear button after Musharraf. Your comments please?
A: National Command Authority, which is a constitutional body, is incharge of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. It is not the question of an individual. It is the question of a constitutional institution.
Q: Did General Kiyani raise the issue of border violation during the Tripartite Commission’s meeting?
A: I am not aware of the agenda of the Tripartite Commission meeting but whenever we discus border security issues, border violations are also discussed.
Q: What is the exact status of illegal Pakistani immigrants present in Turkey? What is being done to bring back the dead bodies of some Pakistanis who died in Turkey?
A: Out of the 1700 illegal Pakistani immigrants detained in Turkish prisons, more than 300 have already been repatriated to Pakistan. Four special flights were arranged to repatriate the detainees. Three flights had already arrived in Pakistan and one is scheduled for 23rd August. 4 out of the 14 dead bodies have already been sent to Pakistan and one will arrive tomorrow. The remaining 9 dead bodies will be sent to Pakistan on 26th August.
Q: There are concerns in the West over Pakistan’s role in war against terrorism. Today, the British Prime Minister has said that Pakistan’s tribal areas are a safe heaven for the terrorists. Your comments please?
A: Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism. It threatens us more than any other country. It is threatening the state and the people of Pakistan. Pakistan has given more sacrifices in this war than the combine casualties of the Coalition Forces in Afghanistan.
Q: Why is it that no Ambassador has still been appointed in China? What do you say about cancellation of the posting of an Ambassador to China? Isn’t it dishonouring a senior diplomat?
A: The appointments of Ambassador is the prerogative of the government. Postings or transfers are a normal event for any government servant. We do not think that the posting or its cancellation are issues of honour.
Q: There is a news item that United Kingdom played a role in the resignation of Musharraf. Were other countries also involved in the process?
A: I am not aware of the role played by the United Kingdom or any other country in resignation of former President.
Q: What is Pakistan’s stance over the border violations in Tribal Areas by the Coalition Forces? What is the mechanism to address this issue?
A: Pakistan takes border violations in tribal areas seriously. There is a set mechanism to address these violations. Tripartite Commission is the highest body where these violations are taken up.
Q: In the backdrop of a flurry of statements from Pakistan, it seems that Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir has changed. Does Pakistan still hold the four point agenda for the resolution of Kashmir issue? Is Pakistan committed to the peace process?
A: Pakistan’s Kashmir policy has not changed. Similarly Pakistan is committed to the continuation of peace process since it is important for peace and stability and economic development of 1.5 billion people of the region.
Q: Have the US authorities indicated where the children of Dr. Afia Siddiqui might be present?
A: No we do not have any intimation from the US authorities in this regard.
Q: Is Pakistan seeking help from Interpol or hiring detectives to locate children of Dr. Afia Siddiqui?
A: The Government of Pakistan will do everything possible to locate the children of Dr. Afia Siddiqui and their return to relatives. We have very little information in the matter at this stage.
Q: The prisoners issue between Pakistan and India has been in the headlines once again. Can you give us details about what has been happening on this issue?
A: Pakistan has always approached the prisoner issue as a humanitarian issue and, therefore, has always taken initiatives to ensure their early release, provide necessary assistance, and extend consular access.
One of our important initiatives in this regard was the establishment of Pakistan-India Judicial Committee on Prisoners. Its first meeting was held in New Delhi on 26th February 2008. The Committee visited Pakistani jails in June 2008. The visit of Indian jails by the Committee is currently underway.
Consular Access Agreement was signed between Pakistan and India on 21st May 2008. Pakistan is implementing this agreement in letter and spirit.
Currently there are 399 Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails which include 344 fishermen and 55 civilian prisoners. A comprehensive list about Indian prisoners in Pakistan was provided to the Indian High Commission and a list of Pakistani prisoners in India was provided by the Indian side to Pakistan on 31 March 2008. The list provided by Pakistan contains detailed information about sentences, date of arrest, expected dates of release etc. India has provided us lists of 378 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails. However, according to our information the number of Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails is 670. We have taken up this matter with India.
On the recommendations of the Judicial Committee, Pakistan has released 34 Indian fishermen and 2 civilian prisoners on 15 August 2008.
Pakistan has provided consular access to all Indian prisoners. With regard to Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails, 323 have been granted consular access so far.
Q: What is your response to the Indian Home Ministry’s press release of 16 August 2008 regarding “Elements opposed to normalization of situation in J&K misguiding people”?
A: Pakistan attaches great importance to the Cross LoC Confidence Building Measures. Pakistan hosted the meeting of the Working Group on Cross LoC Measures on 18 July 2008. A number of steps were agreed upon which were adopted by the Foreign Secretaries meeting in New Delhi on 21 July 2008. These include increase in the frequency of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch –Rawlakot bus service from fortnightly to weekly, introducing triple entry travel permits, expeditious processing of travel requests in emergency cases and transfer of application forms through e-mails. The objective is to enable the divided Kashmiri families to meet and bring relief to the lives of the Kashmiri people.
On Cross LoC trade, Pakistan is committed to taking all necessary steps to facilitate Cross LoC trade. In this regard a delegation from AJK Chambers of Commerce will visit Srinagar soon. At the meeting of the Working Group, Pakistan provided a composite list of commodities to be traded. India provided two separate lists for import and export which are currently being studied by the Ministry of Commerce. We hope to finalize the matter at an early date.
Q: The BJP President Rajnath Singh has leveled allegations against ISI for its role in launching “economic terrorism” against India. Your comments please?
A: We believe that baseless and unsubstantiated charges leveled by a senior member of India’s leading political party are unfortunate and need to be avoided.
Q: Pakistani-American journalist Nayyar Zaidi is in prison in USA. What is the Government of Pakistan’s position on his arrest and will Pakistan Embassy in Washington take it up with the US authorities?
A: Mr. Nayyar Zaidi is the senior most journalist of Pakistani origin in USA representing the largest group of Pakistani newspapers. We do not have complete details of charges against him but we are aware that Mr. Nayyar Zaidi has been arrested. The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington will provide all possible assistance required by Mr. Nayyar Zaidi and his family. |