Spokesman Briefings

Date: 06/02/2008

Record of the Press Briefing on 06 February, 2008

Opening Statement

There was no opening statement

Question/Answer Session

Q: American Security Chief has given his report regarding the situation in Pakistan where he has commended security of the nuclear assets of Pakistan and the counter terrorism efforts of Pakistan . However he has also expressed some concerns. What are your comments on this?

A: I think you are talking about the testimony of Michael McConnell, Director National Intelligence (DNI) in the US Senate .We have seen both the positive aspects and the negative aspects of his statement.

DNI gave an over view of how the intelligence community looked at the threat perception to US and focused on threat from Al- Qaeda present in FATA, Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

We have seen such statements earlier and responded to them them too. Pakistan 's views and position and what we are doing to combat Al Qaeda is well known to the world. It requires no further elaboration. No country has done more than Pakistan to counter terrorism. Terrorism is a threat to the Pakistani nation and a challenge to our society. We remain determined not to allow Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist entity to establish safe haven in our territory.

The DNI assessment also touches on security of our nuclear assets stating that the current political situation in the country hasn't affected them but still some concerns remain about their security. I want to reiterate that Pakistan 's nuclear assets are completely safe and there should be no cause for concern about hypothetical scenarios which have zero probability.

Q: What are your comments about the statement of Negroponte regarding possibility of joint operations in the tribal areas of Pakistan ?

A: I am not sure which statement are your referring too. However, our position is very clear. We have repeatedly said that any action inside Pakistani territory will be carried out by Pakistani forces only.

Q: Can you give us any details about the visit of the US Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen to Pakistan ?

A: DG ISPR deals with the defence-related visits. You should direct this question to him.

Q: Does Pakistan still hope for a just resolution of the Kashmir issue?

A: Yes, we definitely hope so. Pakistan continues to extend political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri struggle so that a just resolution of the dispute is reached.

Q: India is reported to have planned to spend US$ 20 billion in the next 20 years on purchasing war equipment including reconnaissance planes. Won't this disturb the balance of power in the region? How does Pakistan view this?

A: We are against the introduction of any new weapon systems in South Asia as we feel that this would inevitably lead to an arms race. Developing countries in South Asia can ill afford this as the money can be better spent on improving the social indicators of the population and alleviation of poverty. However, we will spare no efforts or resources to defned our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Q: Can you give us the break-up of the foreign observers and media personnel who are coming to Pakistan as election observers? The President recently gave his assurance that they could travel anywhere in Pakistan . What are your comments to this? There is a controversy about IRI observers. You said they refused to come because of security concerns while some political parties claim it was because their visas were not extended. Can you clarify what the real reason is?

A: The Interior Ministry has denied that any visas were refused to observers. We have learnt that IRI would not send observers due to security concerns. However, Democracy International Inc (DII) USA is sending 35 observers. While the European Union contingent has increased from 70 to 110 now. OIC is also sending 4 observers. The number of observers from abroad and foreign missions whose requests have been processed now totals 500.

A corresponding number of foreign journalists are also coming to cover the elections, which takes the total to about 1000 for now.

The observers can visit constituencies two each on election day after making arrangements with the relevant departments to address security concerns. The journalists can visit Islamabad and four provincial capitals from where arrangements could be made to travel to other towns.

Q: Are the rules different for Indian journalists as I have been unable to procure permission to visit any city except one?

A: No, the rules are the same. If there is some specific problem you are facing I can discuss it with the Ministry of Interior and the PID. If you follow the prescribed procedure you should face no problems.

Q: Reports suggest that Japan has decided to rejoin the War on Terror by helping allied forces in the Arabian Sea . How do you view this development?

A: Japan has decided to rejoin the Maritime Interdiction Operation under “Operation Enduring Freedom” whereby it provides fuel and water to the allied forces operating in the Arabian Sea . We view this as a positive development and welcome this decision as Japan is a very important Asian power. Its participation sends a clear message that Japan is committed to combating international terrorism.

Q: What is the position of the Government of Pakistan on the so-called referendum by the Taiwanese authorities?

A: Pakistan has all along maintained its principled “One China Policy”. Taiwan is an integral and inalienable part of the People's Republic of China which is the sole government representing the whole of China . We have, therefore, always opposed the attempts to bring up the question of Taiwan 's membership in the UN bodies. Islamabad firmly opposes the so-called referendum on UN membership by the Taiwan authorities and will continue to oppose any such attempts in future too.

Q: Can you give us the details of the schedule of the President's visit to China ?

A: I am not aware of any such visit.

Q: What is the latest update about India 's participation in the IPI pipeline negotiations?

A: We learnt that The Indian Petroleum Minister was traveling to Iran earlier but now we learn that he has postponed the travel. There are no specific dates for the three parties meeting right now. However, we are committed to the project.

Q: When will the Pakistan Iran border be opened?

A: It is not closed.

Q: India showed some concerns about Gawadar. What are your comments to this?

A: I think you are referring to the Indian Navel Chief's statement. Gawadar Port has been built to promote economic and commercial interests of Pakistan . It is aimed at improving the life of the people of Baluchistan and to provide access to the sea to the landlocked countries in the North. There should be no concern on Gwadar to any quarter. I must add that Pakistan-China relations are for the betterment of the lives of our two peoples and are not aimed against any third country.

Q: Are Pakistan and India going to reduce the frequency of cross border buses? If yes, what is the reason?

A: A meeting is scheduled on 13-14 February 2008 to review the bus services but not necessarily to reduce the frequency of the service. For instance, the routes are Nankana- Amritsar , Lahore – Amritsar and Lahore-Delhi; one of the routes have few passengers and may be merged with another if required.

Q: Is there any update on the Pakistanis detained by the Spanish authorities?

A: Our Embassy in Madrid and Consulate in Barcelona are in touch with the relevant Spanish authorities. We are actively following up the issue.

Q: What is the situation concerning observers from the Commonwealth? Is Pakistan willing to accept observers from Israel ?

A: You would recall that Commonwealth suspended Pakistan 's membership in a haste. We have no relations with Israel so we will not accept observers from that country.