Spokesman Briefings
Date: 26/03/2008
Record of the Press Briefing on 26 March, 2008
There was no opening statement.
Questions/Answers Session
Q: Can the new Government rewrite the foreign policy of Pakistan , especially keeping in mind the role Pakistan is playing in the war on terror?
A: The formulation of foreign policy is the prerogative of the Government and the Parliament.
Q: Whose foreign policy is being followed by the Foreign Office?
A: It is the foreign policy of Pakistan which is being followed by the Foreign Office.
Q: Can you tell us about the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher? What was discussed at the meeting in the Foreign Office? Don't you think that the timing of this visit is unusual?
A: US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, accompanied by Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, is visiting Pakistan since yesterday. The visit in March was on the cards for sometime. Suggestions were made about the timing of the visit because of the political transition in the country. However, the Deputy Secretary undertook the visit because his meetings and programme was already fixed. Negroponte met with the President, Speaker National Assembly, and leading politicians. His meeting is scheduled with the Prime Minister this afternoon. He also met Chief of Army Staff and Foreign Secretary. In meeting with the Foreign Secretary, views were exchanged about Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue. Two rounds of the Strategic Dialogue had taken place since 2006. US side was interested in early holding of the third round. The Foreign Secretary tentatively suggested the middle of this year for the third round. During the meeting at the Foreign Office, the two sides also discussed regional issues, including status of Composite Dialogue and peace process with India , and Pakistan 's relations with Afghanistan . Various aspects of bilateral relations especially Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) and economic and defence cooperation were also discussed.
Q: Has Pakistan applied for the restoration of the membership of the Commonwealth?
A: Pakistan remained the member of the Commonwealth and only Pakistan 's right to attend the Councils of Commonwealth meetings was suspended. It was understood that after the elections and the coming of the new government, Pakistan will interact with the Commonwealth.
Q: According to a report Pakistanis have become the biggest asylum seekers in the world. Your comments please?
A: We have seen the media reports but we do not have any statistics available on this issue. I am not sure about the accuracy of the report. Most Pakistanis who go abroad are economic migrants.
Q: Did the US Deputy Secretary of State discuss the training of para-military troops by the US forces posted in the border regions?
A: The State Department deals with the political leadership. I am not aware if the training of troops was discussed by him with any of his interlocutors. However, training is an area of ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and US.
Q: There are reports that the recently released Pakistani prisoner Jamal Qureshi was tortured in the Indian jail?
A: We have seen the media reports about Jamil Qureshi but we do not have any authentic report on torture of the released prisoner. We, however, are looking into the matter.
Q: Is there a link between establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones ( ROZs) and the decision to allow free movement of US troops in FATA?
A: There is no link between the two. Pakistan has a clear policy that all military actions on Pakistan 's territory will be taken by our armed forces. Military actions on the Afghan side of the border are the responsibility of ISAF, NATO and Afghan forces. Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) is a different matter. It is a proposal aimed at poverty alleviation and economic activity in FATA and other economically deprived areas of NWFP and Baluchistan . The products from ROZs will have tariff free access to the US market. The legislation for this purpose on the Hill is being worked out. The US has separately committed $750 million for the development of FATA over next five years.
Q: How does the new Government view the visit of the US Deputy Secretary of State? Can you give us a round up of government's conclusion of the visit?
A: I have already given details of the ongoing visit. We will give you a round up and an assessment once the visit is over.
Q: Indian Foreign Office Spokesman has rejected the OIC's statement on Kashmir . How do you respond to this?
A: Pakistan has welcomed the OIC statement on Kashmir . The OIC statement supports Pakistan 's principled position on the dispute.
Q: Where will the third round of US and Pakistan Strategic Dialogue take place?
A: The dialogue is held alternately in Washington and Islamabad . Accordingly, the third round will be held in Washington .
Q: What is the status of Pakistan-EU re-admission treaty?
A: We are in the process of finalizing the treaty.
Q: What is the update on taking the Benazir Bhutto assassination case for probe to UN? Will the case of Benazir Bhutto be taken to the UN on the pattern of Rafik Harriri?
A: I am sorry, I do not have an update on the issue.
Q: The US has just announced $300 million assistance for Pakistan . Is this part of the Coalition Support Fund?
A: Coalition Support Fund is essentially reimbursement of the expenditure already incurred by Pakistan . Technically it is not assistance.
Q: How do you view the Indian Prime Minister's message on resuming talks with Pakistan and that India wanted best ever relations with Pakistan?
A: We have noted the statement. It is reiteration of the Indian position. Pakistan remains committed to the composite dialogue process.
Q: What is the latest on the meeting of the High Level Trade Officials (HLTO) of the D-8 member countries in Islamabad ?
A: The 9 th session of High Level Trade Officials (HLTO) will be held on 27-28 March 2008 in Islamabad . The representatives of Developing-8 (D-8) and Secretary General of the organization will participate in the conference.
High Level Trade Officials (HLTO) was formed for promotion of trade within D-8 countries. Bangladesh , Egypt , Indonesia , Iran , Malaysia , Nigeria , Pakistan , and Turkey are D-8 members. The organization was established on June 15, 1997.
The participating delegates shall discuss the Rules of Origin for the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which was signed by the leaders of member countries at the 5 th Summit held at Bali , Indonesia in May 2006.
Since its establishment, HLTO had held eight sessions in various capitals. Pakistan plays an active role in the D-8. It has hosted the second, fifth, seventh and eighth meetings of the HLTO in Islamabad .
Q: What was the final outcome of the recently concluded OIC Summit?
A: The 11 th Summit of the OIC adopted the revised Charter of the organization, the Final Communiqué, Dakar Declaration, and resolutions pertaining to major challenges facing the Islamic World.
According to the revised Charter, henceforth only Muslim majority countries could become members of the organization, while consensus in ICFM will be required to extend observer status.
Support for the Kashmiri people was reaffirmed in the Final Communiqué of the Summit . Proposals on disarmament, non-proliferation, Islamophobia and reform and expansion of the Security Council were also included in the Final Communiqué. The OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir which includes Turkey , Saudi Arabia , Niger , Senegal and Pakistan met on the sidelines of the Summit .
The Contact Group expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and called for an early settlement of the dispute. The Summit expressed solidarity with the people of Kosovo. Pakistan , while introducing the report to the Summit on the activities of the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), highlighted the need for enhanced role of COMSTECH in order to bridge the widening gap in technological capabilities that exist between the OIC countries and the developed world.
Pakistan , in recognition of the assistance provided by the Islamic Solidarity Fund for the victims of the 2005 earthquake, announced a contribution of US$ 100,000 towards the Fund.
Q: Has Foreign Office received any request in regard to the appointment of US Defence Representative to Pakistan ?
A: The Foreign Office has not received any request or communication in regard to the appointment of Major General Hood to Pakistan . Foreign Office, however, is looking into the matter.
Q: What is the update on the Pakistan-Iran bus service?
A: Pakistan-Iran bus service will commence next month. The inaugural bus would leave Quetta for Mashhad on 22 nd April 2008. The first bus would carry 40 delegates from Pakistan to Iran including media personnel and officials. Special arrangements will be made for the security of passengers using the bus service. Initially eight buses a week, four from each side, will operate between Pakistan and Iran .
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