Pakistan Reopens NATO Supplies Route

Pakistan has been cooperating with the international community on the principles of mutual respect‚ trust and interest. The Prime Minister said we had paid a high price for this cooperation.

Salem-News photo outside of Kabul by Tim King.

(FAISALABAD, Pakistan) - Information Minister Qamar Zaman Karia said Tuesday that the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) had made a decision to reopen the NATO supply route. Speaking to the media following the DCC meeting, Kaira said it was in Pakistan’s interest to facilitate US, NATO and Isaf forces in the transition process and in view of the larger interest of peace in Afghanistan and the region.

Kaira added that Pakistan would not charge any transit fee nor would it allow lethal cargo expect for Afghan security forces for the purpose of maintaining peace and stability. “The issue was not of financial gains but of sovereignty. The information minister said that future relations with the US would be based on mutual interest and respect and the DCC would continue to be guided by parliament’s recommendations. “We have been assured that incidents such as Salala will not happen again.

According to Kaira, the DCC had reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the elimination of terrorism and the country’s stance on drones. We will continue to engage the US in counter terrorism cooperation and tools in line with international law, addressing the DCC meeting, Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf said Pakistan was committed to working with the international community to counter terrorism both at the regional and global levels.

He said it had been our constant endeavour to safeguard Pakistan’s supreme national interests in the most effective and inclusive manner.

He said Pakistan has been cooperating with the international community on the principles of mutual respect‚ trust and interest. The Prime Minister said we had paid a high price for this cooperation. He said many of our valiant officers and personnel of the armed forces and security personnel fell victim to terrorism. Besides‚ our civilian population had repeatedly been targeted by terrorist organizations.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said the continued closure of supply lines not only impinges on our relationship with the United States‚ but also on our relations with the 49 other NATO states. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi‚ Ministers for Defence‚ Foreign Affairs‚ Information‚ Finance and Senior Advisor on Interior besides Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and Chiefs of three services.

Reverend Pervaiz Khokhar is a contributing writer in Asia who covers issues pertaining to Christianity in countries that fail to tolerate religious freedom. Perfaiz is the Chairman of The Preaching Society & Social Welfare Services, Mohallah Rasool Pura Street No 7 in Jhumra City, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

You can write to Pervaiz Khokhar at this email address: pssws2012@gmail.com