Trucks carrying supplies for Nato forces are parked at a terminal after closing the border in Chaman. - AP Photo.

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad publicly admitted Tuesday that it had allowed Nato to use Pakistani airspace to fly supplies into Afghanistan, despite a more than two-month blockade on the border crossings.

“The permission has been given for food items,” a defence ministry official quoted Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar as saying at a function in Islamabad.

“Since the food items were perishable, we have allowed them to transport them by air to Afghanistan.

“We have told them to take the supplies out by air and don't bring more for the time being,” the official quoted him as saying.

Pakistan shut all supply routes for the Nato forces last November, after an attack by Nato forces on Pakistani border post that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

"The decision to fully restore all kind of supplies to the neighbouring country rests with the parliament," Mukhtar added.

Meanwhile, the United States distanced itself from a Congressional hearing on Balochistan. The acting US ambassador to Pakistan Richard Hoagland said that Washington "fully respects Pakistan's geographical boundaries."

Hoagland said that the US was "eagerly waiting" for the new policy guidelines on bilateral ties, set to be announced by the Pakistan’s parliament.

Boeing is expected to provide five new aeroplanes worth $1.5 billion to Pakistan by 2015, Hoagland informed reporters.

Opinion

Accessing the RSF

Accessing the RSF

RSF can help catalyse private sector inves­tment encouraging investment flows, build upon institutional partnerships with MDBs, other financial institutions.

Editorial

Madressah oversight
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Madressah oversight

Bill should be reconsidered and Directorate General of Religious Education, formed to oversee seminaries, should not be rolled back.
Kurram’s misery
Updated 19 Dec, 2024

Kurram’s misery

The state must recognise that allowing such hardship to continue undermines its basic duty to protect citizens’ well-being.
Hiking gas rates
19 Dec, 2024

Hiking gas rates

IMPLEMENTATION of a new Ogra recommendation to increase the gas prices by an average 8.7pc or Rs142.45 per mmBtu in...
Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...