Opening Statement

The Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi visited four GCC countries, namely, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar from 30 August. He is returning sometime today. The Foreign Minister was carrying letters from President Zardari to the leaders of these four countries regarding the flood situation in Pakistan. The Foreign Minister’s tour provided a very good opportunity to apprise the leadership of these countries regarding the relief efforts and plans for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Leaderships of these countries have assured the Foreign Minister of their full support to Pakistan in this hour of need. The Foreign Minister also met with the Pakistani diaspora in these countries who are in the forefront of sending donations and relief goods from their respective places.


Question-Answer Session:

Q: President Obama has announced to withdraw US forces out of Iraq and focus attention on Afghanistan. What are your comments? Regarding Samojtha Express incident, has India given any information to Pakistan?

A: The US decision is a welcome development. We wish stability and prosperity to the people of Iraq and we believe that this is another important juncture in Iraq’s history and hope that the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq will help inject further stability. As far as Afghanistan is concerned, as you know President Obama in his speech on 1 December last year elaborated the US strategy in Afghanistan, and that is now being implemented. In our weekly press briefings, there have been questions whether starting phased withdrawal of US forces from July next year will be of any help to achieve overall stability in Afghanistan. So the debate is on but at this stage we do not see the US precipitating their exit. We believe that US is fully committed to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan and that they are trying to pursue a comprehensive and holistic approach as Pakistan has been saying all along in this context. So, the commitment of international community in Afghanistan continues and we hope it will sustain through the crucial times ahead with the view to achieving our common objectives of peace in Afghanistan.

Regarding your third question, you are absolutely right to mention that there has been no concrete progress as far as Samjotha Express investigations are concerned. We are awaiting details from India on this and we hope that they will expedite this matter so that the perpetrators who committed this heinous crime are brought to justice.

Q: What are your comments on Selig Harrison’s article?

A: We have already reacted to Mr. Selig Harrison’s article which was based on gross misrepresentation of facts. Let me add that instead of concocting facts and fabricating stories against Pakistan, Mr. Harrison may for a change shift his focus to what is currently happening in Indian occupied Kashmir. It is unfortunate that Mr. Harrison refuses to see that over 60 innocent people have been killed by Indian security forces and police since June this year. Mr. Harrison, as I said earlier, may for a change write about the legitimate struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and vouch for their right to self-determination. Nevertheless, we know this will not happen.

Q: How many Chinese are working in Gilgit Balitistan?

A: I do not have their exact number but as you know our Chinese brothers are helping us in repairing the Karakurum Highway as well as providing relief to those stranded in the upper reaches of Attabad Lake. This is in the traditional spirit of the all weather Pakistan-China friendship and for this Pakistan is profoundly grateful to China.

Q: What are our and Britain’s investigations regarding Pakistani cricket team spot fixing?

A: As you know investigations are still on and we have not yet received a comprehensive report from our High Commission in London. We may wait rather than saying anything at this stage.

Q: Is FIA team going to England? If so when?

A: As was said by our Interior Minister yesterday we are ready to send a team from Pakistan to join in the ongoing investigations. We are waiting for a green signal from London.

Q: Farooq Abdullah said the other day that Kashmir is an integral part of India do you look at his contention?

A: Such a statement coming from Mr. Abdullah is obviously shocking. I would like to remind him that Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory which is awaiting solution in accordance with UN resolutions and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Q: America has blacklisted Hakeem-ullah Mehsood and Wali-ur-Rehman. Do you view this as a positive development?

A: I have no comment to make except that the TTS is also proscribed in Pakistan. So we welcome the US step.

Q: President Zardari has said that the Chinese are providing relief on our side in Attabad. Is this correct?

A: Yes, we are grateful to China for providing at our request, relief assistance to 25000 people who are stuck at the Hunza Upper Atabad. This is yet another demonstration of our exemplary friendship.

Q: Has our cricket team been stopped to leave England?

A: No! I have no update on that.

Q: Prime Minister has said that the most of the assistance is being provided to NGOs. Is this the frustration of the Government and why someone at the PM level has said that?

A: The Prime Minister was just highlighting the fact that as compared to the government, the administrative cost which is incurred by NGOs in relief and recovery operations, is very high. This is a well-known fact. He was not in anyway raising questions about the work of NGOs, as such. As for your contention that the government may be frustrated let me tell that we knew right from day one that the international response to the flood situation would pick up and gradually gain momentum. This is what is happening today. We now have pledges for $ 1 billion. The response to the UN appeal is also encouraging. The Pakistani diaspora around the world by doing a fantastic job in providing relief assistance. The people in Pakistan have also joined hands to mobilize resources locally and to reach out to the affected areas. In a nutshell, things are getting momentum. You will agree that the task at hand is of astronomical proportions. On the international front, a meeting at the Ministerial level will be held in New York on 19 September, which will be followed by a Ministerial meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan in Brussels on 15 October. The FODP will also focus on the flood situation. The Government is also considering to convene a donors conference in Islamabad. So a number of things are happening at different levels. We are moving systematically to keep the international community engaged over the long-term.

Q: There are some media reports that an armed forces delegation cancelled its visit to the US. Do you have details as to why the visit was called off?

A: I think DG ISPR has already issued a press release and has given details as to what happened over there. Beyond that I do not have anything to add.

Q: The Consul General New York has got an opportunity to collect aid by showing flood video clips on NASDAC Tower but it could not be done in a proper way. Any action by the Government?

A: On this we have already asked our Embassy in Washington to send us a detailed report. Meanwhile, you must have seen the clarification which was issued by our Consulate General in New York. The initial details which I have seen do not chime in with what has been reported by some sections of our press. For instance only 30 seconds were given to show a video clip on the NASDAC tower screen rather than one or two hours which was reported by some newspapers. There are many gaps in the reported story. A detailed report from our Embassy in Washington will help set the record straight.