Nato supply discussed in top level meeting in presidency
The meeting was attended by the top level political and military leadership. — File Photo by Online
ISLAMABAD: An informal meeting of the top military and political leadership was held at the President’s House in Islamabad late on Saturday night to discuss the resumption of Nato supplies and the overall scenario of the country, DawnNews reported.
The meeting headed by President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari was attended by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman and officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting discussed the reopening of Nato supplies, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)s to be signed between the US and Pakistan, Pakistan-US relations and the overall political situation of the country.
US and Pakistani officials are meeting again on Monday to finalise a MoU to regulate Nato supplies to Afghanistan, official sources told Dawn. Both sides have formed MoU committees to expedite an agreement.
The officials are believed to have reached an understanding and both sides are now consulting lawyers to prepare the final draft, the sources said.
It is still not clear if the MoU will also include a proposal to rebuild the National Highway which is in a bad shape because of Nato trucks or this issue will be dealt with separately.
Pakistan closed ground supply routes to Afghanistan to protest a Nov 26 US air raid on one of its border posts that killed 24 soldiers. The routes reopened last week after the United States accepted the Pakistani demand for an apology over the air raid.
But the 7-month delay has created a huge backlog as more than 7,000 trucks with Nato supplies are held up in Pakistan.
Both sides have, however, agreed to expedite the process. They intend to move first about 1,600 trucks that have been pre-cleared and sealed and are ready to go. Other held-up cargo will follow soon.
At a recent briefing in Washington, a State Department official told reporters that Pakistan remains committed to expediting the movement of supply trucks to Afghanistan.
On Thursday, officials at the Foreign Office told reporters in Islamabad that the US and Pakistan would soon sign an MoU to regulate the supplies.
Reports in the Pakistani media claimed that the government had decided to scrap a Musharraf-era agreement with the United States because it felt the old arrangement had created problems for both countries.
Pakistan should not allow arms and lethal weapons to go through its territory no matter if its for Afghan army or NATO, its going to be used against Pakistan sooner or later. This government is full of retarded people who can not see the storm coming to them. Army is as usual hard to understand what are they thinking, may be they will surrender to the invaders! They are good at killing their own people. They haven't won any war.
World has become small and every one depends each.
Cannot leave alone on our whims
Can the govt give one good reason to restore the supplies.. other than something that will benefit the corrupt looters ruling us?
It is a business deal.
Big powers control Nato, Imf and Saudia will do what they say for us.
Except emotions which dont carry any weight this was a good idea. We let them our importance for the present atleast.
At least this agreement will be public!
The Agreement will be only public of that part that can be easily swallowed. Its a shame the so call stalwarts of the Government to bow down once again and forget what they said to the nation. If our demands are not met we will never open th supply route. Now they are opening the route and letting the drone attack kill innocent people. Well done.
Washington believes this is a war. Pakistan does not believe this is a war.
Trucks do a lot of damage to highways and generally there are civilian taxing authorities that levy taxes for road maintenance and repair. That is fair, and overweight trucks should pay a fine in addition. The highway has, no doubt, suffered some collateral damage as well.
Nato is like the world police force. No one likes them unless their is a disaster.
Did Pakistan consult Iran,China,Russia,Uzbik,Tajiks, Afghan Govt and Talibans or Haqqanis before finalizing draft for future terms of engagement with USA,if not troubles in Pakistan will remain constant because USA will continue to disturb all around.
Iran,China,Russia,Uzbik,Tajiks, Afghan Govt and Talibans or Haqqanis will never help Pakistan in any ways rather they will create more troubles for Pakistan in the long run. America and Nato countires and their allies have helped Pakistan and will always help Pakistan. Resumption of Nato supplies by Pakistan is in the best interest of Pakistan.
Qaede-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was Pro-West and strongly supporterd Baghdad Pact and South East Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) pact with US. If he was alive today, he would be strong ally of America.
Thanks for info ! but why we depend on them rather do things our own & not wait for ship come from west to help us may u get ma hint 1971 as per SEATO which pakistan step back after war.
We have to take steps as per our interest & Don't accept any Aid indeed do trade.Pakistan in vital position strategically we have a chance to achieve our goal,strethen our country.May Allah help us !!!!