“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.