Attack on Pakistani post a mistake, says Nato official
By Iftikhar A. Khan
RAWALPINDI, Jan 24: The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) has assured Pakistan that incidents like this week’s attack on a Pakistan post in North Waziristan will not take place in future.
The assurance was given by Mr Baldwin de Vidts, head of Nato’s Legal Office, who called on Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Tariq Wasim Ghazi on Wednesday at the head of a Nato delegation.
Official sources told Dawn that the Nato delegation termed the incident a mistake, and held out the assurance that Nato troops would observe utmost caution while carrying out operations near the Pak-Afghan border in future to ensure that such unfortunate incidents did not recur.
The delegation described Pakistan as an important ally in the “war on terror” and expressed Nato’s desire to strengthen its relationship with the country.
The secretary of defence conveyed Pakistan’s concern over the North Waziristan incident and warned that such provocative acts could jeopardize collaborative partnership in the war on terror.
One Pakistani soldier was killed and two others were wounded when the coalition forces fired on a Pakistan checkpoint near the Pak-Afghan border on Monday.
The two sides discussed the geo-strategic situation in the region with particular reference to Afghanistan.
Gen Ghazi informed the delegation about steps taken by Pakistan for eliminating the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country.
The two sides also exchanged views on transit arrangements. Pakistan has agreed in principle to provide transit facilities to Nato forces.
Later, at a meeting co-chaired by Mr Baldwin and Rear Admirel Tanveer Faiz, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, the two sides underlined the need for increasing cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Members of the Nato delegation said that Pakistan’s logistical support was vital for the Nato troops stationed in Afghanistan under the United Nations’ mandate. The Pakistani side affirmed to facilitate the logistics in accordance with the law of the land.
The sources said technical details of the proposed transit facility were discussed at length and Nato’s proposal of exempting transit goods from taxes also came under discussion.
