Opening Statement

Pakistan strongly condemns and denounces the planned burning of 200 copies of the Holy Quran by a small Florida Church on 11 September. The Government and the people of Pakistan, including Pakistani Christians are outraged at this planned shameful act by a self-proclaimed pastor. This is against the spirit of any religion and is, therefore, being rightly denounced by the entire international community. We urge adherents of all religions and faiths to strongly condemn this fanatic approach and oppose those, who in the name of freedom and liberty, are resorting to bigotry and undermining the work that has been done towards promoting interfaith harmony since 9/11. The Government of Pakistan is in touch with OIC countries and the OIC Secretary General to formulate a joint response and strategy towards this highly reprehensive act.

The Foreign Minister will arrive in Brussels today on the last leg of his whirlwind European tour. Earlier, he has visited Lisbon, Warsaw and Madrid and had intensive meetings and discussions with his counterparts there.

The Foreign Minister’s visit is important in that it has greatly helped sensitize these European Union countries and the European Union itself about the huge challenges Pakistan’s economy has been facing first as a result of our ongoing fight against terrorism and now further compounded because of the unprecedented massive floods. The Foreign Minister’s visit has been very timely as Baroness Ashton has called a EU Ministerial meeting in Brussels on 10 September to explore possible ways and means to assist Pakistan’s long-term economic stability, as well as our efforts towards rehabilitating and reconstructing the flood stricken areas.

In Brussels, the Foreign Minister will meet the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium, the EU Trade Commissioner and Baroness Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. The Foreign Minister will depart for Pakistan this evening.


Question-Answer Session:

Q: On one hand US is helping the flood affectees in Pakistan and on the other hand drone attacks are continuing, for the past six days. Six attacks have been carried out killing more than 27 people. How do you see this US approach?

A: We oppose drone attacks because we consider them as counterproductive and a violation of our sovereignty. We have been conveying our concerns to the US in this regard. We believe that these attacks are not helping our long-term efforts to win hearts and minds which you will appreciate is important in our fight against terrorism.

Q: How do you see the paradigm shift in Afghan government policy to talk with Taliban?

A: You would recall this has emanated from the London Conference and then the 20 July Conference in Kabul. The Karzai Government is proceeding in accordance with the mandate which it got from the international community. We believe it is important that this is pursued in all its earnestness as part of the Afghanistan-led process, and we welcome this initiative. As you know, President Karzai would be paying a visit to Pakistan very soon. This will be one of the agenda items which will be discussed. Promoting reconciliation and reintegration in Afghanistan is imperative. Pakistan will continue playing its constructive and positive role in this regard.

Q: On one hand there is destruction of flood, on the other hand there are terrorists’ attacks and drone attacks. The MQM leader in press conference the other day has said that Pakistan’s foreign policy has failed. Do you agree with this assessment?

A: On drone attacks I have very clearly reiterated our position. As regards Pakistan’s foreign policy, our accomplishment, in the foreign policy realm, especially in the past two years, speak for themselves. We have been able to strengthen our relations with all major power, EU, OIC and ASEAN countries. We have also made good progress in our region. Our relations with Afghanistan have come as long way. We are also trying to normalize our relations with India and important steps have been taken in that regard. Pakistan today is being widely appreciated for its role against terrorism. The Friends of Democratic Pakistan is one such manifestation. The suggestion that Pakistan’s foreign policy has failed is incorrect to put it mildly.

Q: Is there any update regarding the inquiry of our cricket team scandal and the story regarding the video clipping on NASDAC tower?

A: No I do not have any update on your first question. On the second question, we are still awaiting a report from our Embassy in Washington. But as I told you earlier, the news story appeared in some sections of our press, was strewn with many gaps and only 30 seconds were allotted for a video clip on the floods rather than one or two hours as was reported.

Q: Since Pakistan is up against extremism and terrorism, how much burning of the Holy Quran would affect the war against terrorism?

A: Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance. While we strongly condemn this action, the people of Pakistan strongly believe that such reprehensible actions should not be allowed to distract us from the larger objective of promoting interfaith harmony. You have seen how strongly the international community, including the US, has condemned this. The entire international community is united against this planned action by a bunch of fanatic people. We should not allow these people to drive the agenda of hate and inter-faith acrimony. It is important that we should register our outrage forcefully and firmly but peacefully.

Q: In recent escalations in Jammu and Kashmir, a number of innocent people have been killed by Indian forces. What are your comments on this?

A: Let me tell you that we are shocked at the killing of four innocent Kashmiris in Palhalan in Baramula district as a result of an indiscriminate firing by the Indian police and Central Reserve Police Force on 6 September. Since July 11, 69 Kashmiris have been killed in police firing. The Times of India has rightly pointed out that more civilians have been killed by security forces than in militant attacks. We urge India to enter into a meaningful dialogue for a permanent and just solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiris.

Q: How do you see Taliban leader Mulla Muhammad Umer’s message that Taliban are winning in Afghanistan while NATO is losing their grip?

A: The international community is united to bring about peace and stability in Afghanistan. Pakistan is optimistic and we are playing our positive role in this behalf.