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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>Air strike kills 11 Afghan police: officials</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/952373/air-strike-kills-11-afghan-police-officials</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/952373/air-strike-kills-11-afghan-police-officials#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 15 12:55:16 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[The strike was carried out by NATO forces, an interior ministry spokesperson said]]>
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				<![CDATA[An air attack has killed at least 11 Afghan police officers in the volatile and opium-rich southern province of Helmand, officials said on Monday.

An interior ministry spokesperson said the strike on Sunday was carried out by NATO forces but another ministry official could not confirm who was responsible.

NATO said in a statement that it conducted no air strikes in Helmand on Sunday.

Afghanistan's own air force also has the capability to carry out air attacks, but both the force and the defense ministry declined to comment.

Read: Two NATO soldiers killed in Afghan 'insider attack'

"Eleven counter-narcotics police were killed and four others were wounded in an air strike carried out by international forces in Garmsir district of Helmand province," deputy interior ministry spokesperson Najib Danish told AFP.

A spokesperson for the counter-narcotics police at the interior ministry confirmed the toll but could not say who carried out the attack.

US-led NATO forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan in December, leaving local forces to battle militants alone on the ground. A 13,000-strong US-dominated residual force remains for training and counter-terrorism operations.

Read: Afghan Taliban denies involvement in Kabul truck bombing

But there has been an escalation in air strikes by NATO forces in recent months despite the draw-down.

Foreign coalition forces carried out 106 air strikes in June, a sharp jump compared to 41 the previous month, according to NATO statistics.

That figure is still significantly lower than previous years.

US President Barack Obama has back-pedaled on plans to shrink the US force in Afghanistan this year by nearly half, agreeing to keep the current level of 9,800 US troops until the end of 2015.]]>
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			<title>NATO container set ablaze in Balochistan: Police</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/581125/nato-container-set-ablaze-in-balochistan-police</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/581125/nato-container-set-ablaze-in-balochistan-police#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Jul 13 18:22:52 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two armed militants opened fire forcing the truck to halt.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Police officials confirmed on Tuesday that militants torched an empty container truck as it traveled through Balochistan after delivering equipment to US and Nato troops in Afghanistan, CNN reported.

Two militants opened fire on the truck which halted the vehicle and forced the driver to escape.

"The militants then came close and set the container on fire using petrol," police officer Qazi Pervaiz told CNN.

No one claimed responsibility of the incident.

Last month, militants attacked Nato supply trucks with guns and mortars as it passed through northwest Pakistan, killing at least six people.

Up to 20 armed militants targeted at least three Afghanistan-bound vehicles loaded with military equipment.]]>
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			<title>Price of normalisation?: Govt waives half of storage charges on NATO containers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/473113/price-of-normalisation-govt-waives-half-of-storage-charges-on-nato-containers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/473113/price-of-normalisation-govt-waives-half-of-storage-charges-on-nato-containers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 12 23:47:28 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[Shahbaz Rana]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The move came four days before first anniversary of Salala check post attack.]]>
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				<![CDATA[In a sign that Pakistan-US fissures are on the mend, the government has waived half of the demurrage charges on Nato containers stranded on Pakistani sea ports due to blockage of the land route.


The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet’s decision to write off Rs187.8 million demurrage and storage charges was taken just four days before the first anniversary of the attack on the Salala check post by US troops.

According to officials, three shipping and freight forwarding companies, namely International Logistics and Trading, Security Packers and Customs Consultants and Advisers, responsible for handling the Nato cargo, owe a total sum of Rs375.5 million.

An official of the ports and shipping ministry, who moved the summary to the ECC, said that these companies had been hired by Nato for handling the cargo, including the containers that remained stranded from the end of November 2011 to July 2012.

The move has irked some in the finance ministry, an official said, noting that the ministry had opposed the proposal to write off the demurrage charges. The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) cannot waive more than Rs5 million in charges, another government official pointed out.

In its criticism, the Economic Affairs Division argues that these companies should take up the claims with the Nato authorities instead of seeking a waiver.
The ECC did not deliberate over the issue and the decisions on three separate summaries of the ministry of ports and shipping were taken in haste. Both the divisions had given their dissenting views on the summary before it was tabled in the ECC meeting, officials added.
The emergency ECC meeting, called by the Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh concluded business without adequate deliberation or debate, the official said.

Nato supplies were halted due to tensions between Washington and Islamabad in the aftermath of the airstrike on Salalah check post that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers including two officers on November 26, 2011.

As a consequence, Pakistan began blocking Nato supplies. But after months of negotiations to reopen Nato supply the government tagged deliveries to Afghanistan at $5,500 per container.

US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta termed the demand a “price gouge” in May this year. However, relations between Washington and Islamabad improved following an apology by the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the supplies reopened in July this year without any additional charges.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Twitter alert: Tears and anger on Salala attack anniversary</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/471081/twitter-alert-tears-and-anger-on-salala-attack-anniversary</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/471081/twitter-alert-tears-and-anger-on-salala-attack-anniversary#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Nov 12 08:16:03 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Majority of Twitterati dubbed reopening of NATO routes as 'selling the martyrs blood'.]]>
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				<![CDATA[One year after 24 soldiers were killed in an attack on a Pakistani check post on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, #RememberingSalala was the top trend today (Monday), with Twitterati across the country posting tweets to express their sorrow and disgust.

On November 26, 2011, Nato forces opened fire on a check post of the Pakistan Army located in Salala, which left 24 soldiers dead. In opposition, Pakistan blocked supply routes to Nato-Isaf forces stationed in Afghanistan.

However, precisely after seven months and six days, Islamabad announced the lifting of the ban just as soon as an apology was tendered by Washington.

Today, majority of the Twitterati dubbed the incident as “selling the martyrs blood”.

Wajahat S. Khan ‏@WajSKhan

One year ago, the 7 Azad Kashmir Regiment did what it had to do: sacrifice 24 of its finest at Salala. But are we doing what we have to do?

Ambreen Ejaz ‏@ProudPakistanii

26 November, 2011. The day was Saturday. The day our 'friends' attacked us. #RememberingSalala

A Good Soldier ‏@Soldier_pk

They fought &amp; stood against the might of US Army with small arms, they fought side by side, they gave courage a new name#RememberingSalala

Sabena Siddiqi ‏@sabena_siddiqi

They faced bullets for us ..we salute the martyrs of #RememberingSalala

Sumaira Jajja ‏@SumairaJajja

One year on, in #Pakistan the memory of Salala attack martyrs is lost in oblivion. #RememberingSalala #US #NATO



Naveed Ahmad Khan ‏@NavidAhmadKhan

The current leaders sold our martyrs’ blood and after a few months reopened the supply line. We are a joke of a nation.#RememberingSalala

fatima riaz ‏@fatima_riaz

i wish the people would start respecting the military a little more#rememberingSALALA

@Aasim_Butt

#rememberingSALALA Why Do We Remember Salala? We Only Remember Malala O..O

Fatima Ali ‏@FatimaAli52

we don’t have anything for them, but mere words!we accept or not,but we owe nothing less than our lives to them #Pakistan#RememberingSalala

Sameed Akhter ‏@SameedAkhter

SALALA rhymes with MALALA but you wont hear about it on the intl news because we sold the martyrs’ blood #rememberingSALALA

nightwar hawk ‏@mareium

these mean politicians and elites have SOLD OUT the sacrifices and blood of the martyrs for few dollars ! #RememberingSalala #Pakistan

Yousaf Malik ‏@YousafMalik41

We remember our boys who fought to the last bullet &amp; last drop of blood, but have we learned anything from that incident.#RememberingSalala

zulfiqar haider ‏@xulfii

Dollars in accounts make U forgot the brutality of NATO that killed our 24 soldiers... Oh Did i say.. we sold their blood #RememberingSalala

Double Envelopment ‏@Truth_pk

Today I am #RememberingSalala because they fought against uneven odds and never gave an inch. The bravest of all brave]]>
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			<title>NATO supplies: Pakistan, US sign new deal</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/415784/nato-supplies-pakistan-us-sign-new-deal</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/415784/nato-supplies-pakistan-us-sign-new-deal#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jul 12 22:08:17 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=415784</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US to release $1.1b, Pakistan given right to reject shipment, lethal supplies not allowed.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan and the United States signed a new deal on Tuesday governing arrangements for Nato convoys travelling to Afghanistan until the end of 2015. The new deal replaces verbal arrangements in place since the Musharraf-era, and signals yet another step towards gradual rapprochement between the two allies. 

The pact, signed by Additional Defence Secretary Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmed and Deputy US Ambassador in Islamabad Richard Hoagland, was the culmination of protracted negotiations over a period of seven months, in which the fractious allies fought hard to secure their respective interests.

Seemingly a quid-pro-quo arrangement, the agreement inked at the defence ministry in Rawalpindi will see the US release $1.1 billion due under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to reimburse Pakistan for its efforts in the war on terror, in exchange for the reopening of vital supply lines into Afghanistan.

Hoagland told reporters that Washington would release the funds following the formalisation of the new deal. The US last released CSF payments to Pakistan in December 2010, amounting to about $633  million (approximately Rs55 billion).

Officials at the ceremony gave no details of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) nor did they release a copy at a news conference.

The development comes just a day before the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam, begins a three-day visit to Washington for talks with the head of the CIA.

‘Increased transparency’ 

Richard Hoagland hailed the MoU between the two governments.

“This MoU is a demonstration of increased transparency and openness between our governments, in respect of Pakistan’s sovereignty as requested by the Pakistani parliament,” he said, adding that the process had also opened new channels for the two countries to resolve other issues.

“Of course, it’s clear to our political leadership in both capitals ... that we have a number of other issues to work on,” he added. Newly appointed Defence Secretary Asif Yasin Malik, who attended the ceremony, said the deal would contribute to the stability of the region and hailed it as a “landmark achievement.”

“With this agreement, there are no grey areas left in the process,” said Malik.

Islamabad agreed to reopen land routes for Nato goods on July 3 – ending the longest border closure of the decade-long war in Afghanistan.

The closure was in protest against Nato air raids that killed 24 Pakistani troops last November. However, a row over security guarantees and compensation has delayed a resumption of normal traffic.

Parliament’s guidelines 

The deal lasts until the end of 2015, well beyond the 2014 departure date for the bulk of Nato’s 130,000 combat troops from Afghanistan, and can be renewed for one-year intervals beyond that.

Interestingly, both countries can discontinue the MoU at any time by informing each other in advance

The deal specifies routes to be taken and has a list running to several pages of lethal supplies that may not be transported through Pakistan, as per the guidelines laid out by parliament earlier this year, although armoured vehicles and Humvees are permitted provided they are not mounted with weapons. However, Afghan security forces are exempt from this clause.

Furthermore, a central coordination authority will also be established at the defence ministry to monitor Nato supplies. In order to ensure the implementation of the new agreement, officials from both sides will meet regularly.

A Pakistani security official said the agreement gave Islamabad the right to refuse or reject any shipment and special radio chips would be fitted to containers for monitoring.

(Read: New deal on NATO supplies)

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>New beginnings, new rules: Pakistan, US set to sign NATO supply deal today</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/415250/new-beginnings-new-rules-pakistan-us-set-to-sign-nato-supply-deal-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/415250/new-beginnings-new-rules-pakistan-us-set-to-sign-nato-supply-deal-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jul 12 22:05:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=415250</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The new agreement will be in place till 2015.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Closing the chapter on weeks of hard-talk and gruelling negotiations, a new agreement on Nato supplies through Pakistan is to be signed today (Tuesday) in Islamabad by senior officials from Pakistan and the US.


The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will replace the existing arrangement that had been in place since 2004. The new deal was part of an overall review Pakistan had sought in its ties with the US in the wake of last year’s Nato cross-border raid which killed 24 soldiers — consequently causing the suspension of the ground lines of communication for Nato-led foreign forces in Afghanistan for over seven months.

However, earlier this month, Pakistan formally agreed to lift the ban on the supplies for Nato forces after the US apologised for the killings.

Last week, the federal cabinet formally approved the new deal the two countries had been able to finalise after weeks of intense negotiations. Washington managed to convince Islamabad to drop its earlier demand of imposing an additional transit fee on Nato containers in return for an apology for the Salala incident and the release of long overdue finances from the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), which are reimbursements for expenses accrued in the war on terror.

According to the new accord, Pakistan will not allow transportation of arms and ammunition, as demanded by parliament in its foreign policy recommendations approved in April. However, military equipment for the Afghan National Army would be permitted to pass through the country.

Two routes have been identified for containers carrying Nato goods — southern and northern routes. Containers on the southern route will travel to Afghanistan from Karachi (Bin Qasim Port) via Chaman while the northern route caters to supplies from Karachi (Bin Qasim Port) via Torkham to Afghanistan.

According to the new MoU, Pakistan will not provide any warehouses or storage facilities for Nato goods.

It also authorises Pakistani authorities to stop the supply of goods that do not fall within the parameters of the new deal. Pakistan has agreed to provide facilities for security and quick transfer of the cargo and will keep the US informed about the monitoring and transit points of the shipments.

But it makes clear that the government will not take any responsibility of damage to commercial carriers. Under the new arrangement, the defence ministry will act as a central coordination authority to monitor the supplies.

In order to ensure the implementation of the new agreement, it was decided that officials from both sides will meet regularly.

The fresh MoU will be valid till December 31, 2015, but could be extended for one year after mutual consultations.


Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Long road ahead in US-Pakistan ties after NATO deal: Sherry Rehman</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404257/long-road-ahead-in-us-pakistan-ties-after-nato-deal-sherry-rehman</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404257/long-road-ahead-in-us-pakistan-ties-after-nato-deal-sherry-rehman#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 12 19:30:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=404257</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Says talks on wider issues now possible; Pakistan fears prolonged instability in Afghanistan.]]>
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				<![CDATA[With the thorny issue of closed Nato supply routes now resolved, Pakistan and the United States are looking forward to resuming broader talks on security cooperation, militant threats, aid and other issues, Pakistan's envoy to Washington said on Thursday.

But bridging underlying differences that had strained US-Pakistani ties almost to breaking point will be daunting since the allies remain at odds over how to handle the twin threats of the Taliban in Afghanistan and militants in Pakistani tribal areas.

The agreement reached this week prompting Pakistan to reopen NATO supply routes into Afghanistan, was clinched when US President Barack Obama's administration ceded to months of Pakistani demands and apologised for the US air attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last November. It brought welcome relief for both countries.

"I certainly think it opened the door to many other issues," Ambassador Sherry Rehman told Reuters in an interview.

"There's a long road ahead, but both sides can use this opportunity to build a path to durable ties," she added. After US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton apologised in a phone call to Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan permitted trucks carrying NATO supplies to cross into Afghanistan for the first time in more than seven months.

This was a boon for NATO nations that had been paying 2-1/2 times as much to bring supplies in through an alternate route. While NATO will not be paying any new fees for shipping supplies into Afghanistan, Washington will give Pakistan at least $1.2 billion which it had owed the ally for costs incurred while fighting militants.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said no specific commitments were made to increase military or counter-terrorism activities for Pakistan, but there was a 'good faith agreement' to continue talks on those issues.

All about the apology 

"A number of other things became stuck with all this," the official said. "It was never a money haggle or a transactional deal," Rehman said of the apparent 'price gouging' as claimed by US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta in late May.

The death of the 24 soldiers had inflamed public opinion among Pakistanis already angered by US drone strikes, the presence of CIA personnel in Pakistan and other issues.

"We're a very hospitable people but we don't like being taken for granted - that was the public sentiment," she said, stressing why the apology was so vital.

"You had 24 boys draped in flags ... that's not something that was going away from the public domain. At every level this percolated up and down" Pakistani society. While the breakthrough is welcome news for both sides, a harmonious road ahead is unlikely.

Issues that have inflamed bilateral ties persist, including US accusations that Pakistan harbors militants and meddles in Afghanistan, Pakistani chafing at US drone strikes and fears on both sides that Pakistan's western neighbour will revert to chaos after most NATO troops leave by the end of 2014.

Pakistan has long complained that the United States has overlooked its contribution to the fight against militants - scores of al Qaeda fighters were apprehended in Pakistan with American help - and the threat Pakistanis themselves face. Late last month, more than 100 fighters loyal to Pakistani Taliban leader Fazlullah snuck across the Afghan border and staged an ambush inside Pakistan. Several days later, the fighters released a video of what they said were the heads of 17 ambushed soldiers, along with their identification cards.

It was a chilling reminder of the threat militants based in Afghanistan pose to Pakistan - the mirror image of the situation that fuels US complaints about Pakistan, and a threat that would be sure to become more serious if Afghanistan were to slip back into civil war.

The United States repeatedly has pressed Pakistan to pursue the Taliban and its allies, especially the Haqqani network, which it blames for a series of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan. Last month, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the United States was reaching the limits of its patience with Pakistan over what it deems as foot-dragging on militants.

Rehman said that most of al Qaeda has been decimated with Pakistani cooperation, and that Islamabad would go after foreign fighters linked to other militants according to "Pakistan's priorities" and time frame. The immediate military priority was combating insurgents who target Pakistani security forces and civilians, she said.

"We are going after our own right now - foreign fighters and militants who are on our soil, who are attacking us. If there is someone beheading me I am going to go after him first."

Rehman said Pakistan stood to pay a high price if the NATO project in Afghanistan does not produce a stable country, in part because instability is likely to spill over the two countries' porous border.

"For Pakistan, the stakes in Afghan stability are very high," Rehman said.]]>
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			<title>No ghairat on borrowed F-16s</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404109/no-ghairat-on-borrowed-f-16s</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/404109/no-ghairat-on-borrowed-f-16s#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 12 18:34:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.shafi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=404109</guid>
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				<![CDATA[There can never be any ghairat on borrowed F-16s; their spares; the required permission from the American managers.]]>
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				<![CDATA[So then, what in heaven’s name have the Ghairat Brigades and their commanders achieved in these seven or so months that the Nato supply lines were blocked, earning this country the ire and the opprobrium of the rest of the world? A world that we need and depend on for our very survival: to which we export the goods that we make, and from which we import those goods that we need for our manufacturing industry; and more than anything else for our defence needs.

Look at the so-called ‘apology’ that made us crow with delight as we opened the land routes into Afghanistan for Nato/Isaf trucks carrying supplies and equipment: Verbatim as reported in our press: “We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military,” US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, recounting a telephone conversation she had with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. “I offered our sincere condolences to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives. Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives.”

Now let’s go back seven months, to December 4, 2011, a week after the Salala attack. This is what this newspaper of record reported then: “President Barack Obama called President Zardari on Sunday to personally condole the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers in a Nato airstrike last week. In a press release issued by the White House, President Obama “made clear that this regrettable incident was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan and reiterated the United States’ strong commitment to a full investigation”.

The press release further stated that the two leaders “reaffirmed their commitment to the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, which is critical to the security of both nations, and they agreed to stay in close touch”. Note also that commanders at every level in Nato, US Central Command and Isaf not only apologised but also condoled the death of our officers and jawans.

But let’s specifically note the word the US President himself used in the telephone call to our president. Obama termed the incident “regrettable”. The word regrettable also means ‘lamentable’ which in turn means ‘woeful’, ‘inexcusable’, ‘appalling’ and ‘dreadful’ and ‘deplorable’. The word ‘deplorable’ also means ‘unpardonable’ which in turn means ‘indefensible’, ‘inexcusable’, ‘awful’ and ‘shameful’.

So, there was the president of the United States, let me immediately add, the country that is the source of our most sophisticated weapons systems that are used on land, sea and in the air, actually calling his country’s action on Salala post inexcusable and shameful and yet we continued to stand on our tails and growl at the world? Well, meow at any rate.

And what do we get at the end of it all: the so-called ‘sorry’ from Secretary Clinton! Really! We Pakistanis do make complete monkeys of ourselves sometimes. And then we cut off our nose to spite our face by refusing to go to the Bonn conference effectively cutting ourselves off from any deliberations to do with the ‘endgame’ in Afghanistan. (Which will be a long time coming, just watch, with us getting the drubbing of our lives).

And now for a short riposte to the mini-article penned by one SRH Hashmi of Karachi in the ‘Letters to the editor’ column of this newspaper. He says that “in matters of politics, he [I] sees everything in ‘a Pakistan versus the rest of the world’ prism”. But is it not the case? Unless Mr Hashmi missed the latest BBC poll on the most disliked countries in the world? Surely we are all old enough to know that we have steadily become a headache for the rest of the world, our  ‘friends’ and  ‘brothers’ included.

Witness the quiet demarches made by our ‘deep as the ocean’ and ‘sweeter than honey’ friend China about controlling our mad jihadis from influencing affairs in their western province of Xinjiang. Does Mr Hashmi not know that many years ago (during Musharraf’s rule, if memory serves) news surfaced of Chinese dissidents being trained in Khyber Agency? Surely he knows of the most recent deportation of Abu Jindal who was in Saudi Arabia as Riyasat Ali on a Pakistani passport and carrying two identity cards, one an NIC (National Identity Card) and the other a NICOP (National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis).

He says: “The Pakistan military gets a special battering from him, along with the new-found ‘security analysts’, who are increasingly from the Air Force”. True, only the ‘military’ doesn’t get a ‘battering’ from me, hopefully the brass-hats do; those who cause the running of bakeries and pastry shops and shaadi ghars in military messes, of which Mr Hashmi says nothing.

Again: “To eliminate terrorism, you also have to reduce the causes that give rise to it. However, he [I] never touches these aspects, which makes his approach seem inadequate and superficial”. Mr Hashmi obviously reads me superficially. How many times have I said that the day our Rommels and Guderians stop spawning and molly-coddling murderous terrorists for future use as their ‘assets’ terrorism will come to an end!

And finally, in regard to my saying that the Isaf commander’s offer to use the hammer and anvil method on the Af/Pak Taliban is sterling: “Also, Mr Shafi is assuming that General Allen’s offer is a sincere one and has not considered the possibility that his ploy could be to get Pakistan extensively involved in the fighting and thus deflect the full fury of the forces fighting foreign occupiers towards Pakistan.” At long last, an admission from a defender of the Deep State that the Afghan and Pakistan Taliban are one and the same entity, joined not only at the hip but also in the head.

The rest of Mr Hashmi’s mini-article answers the questions it poses, for example on Mumbai and on East Pakistan, so no discussion necessary. One hopes one will continue to read Mr Hashmi in the future …

Let me just end on the note that there can never be any ghairat on borrowed F-16s; their spares; and the required permission from the American managers. Let Mr Hashmi investigate this …

P.S. And what, pray, did Secretary Clinton mean by, “Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives”? If they both acknowledged ‘mistakes’, did we also make some? One?

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Demurrage charges: KPT to receive Rs2.2b from NATO for seven-month hold-up</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403713/demurrage-charges-kpt-to-receive-rs2-2b-from-nato-for-seven-month-hold-up</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403713/demurrage-charges-kpt-to-receive-rs2-2b-from-nato-for-seven-month-hold-up#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 12 23:20:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kazim.alam]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403713</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Supply backlog at port expected to clear in roughly 24 days.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) will receive up to Rs2.2 billion from Nato for storing their containers for the past seven months technically known as demurrage charges, a KPT official said on Wednesday.

Talking to The Express Tribune, KPT General Manager (Operations) Rear Admiral Azhar Hayat said port authorities were expecting a flurry of cargo clearance, as container build-up of more than seven months would start clearing on Thursday.

Pakistan had blocked Nato supply routes on November 26, 2011, to protest the killing of over two dozen soldiers in a Nato air raid.

Demurrage refers to the charges associated with the storage of cargo for an extended period.

During the ban, Nato used the Central Asian route through Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan which jacked up its transportation cost more than six times.

“We’re all set, and now it’s up to the consignees to get their cargo cleared from customs,” he said.

Demurrage charges of Rs2.2 billion are non-negotiable, according to Hayat. He stated that there were about 3,851 vehicles and 1,983 containers currently stuck at KPT, adding that port authorities were able to clear up to 250 units per day.

Therefore, all things being equal, the backlog of Nato supply is expected to clear in roughly 24 days.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Oil Tankers Association Chairman Yusuf Shahwani said on Wednesday evening that the government has had no communication with goods’ transporters following the reopening of Nato routes, which is likely to create logistical problems.

Moreover, he said transporters had yet to receive compensation for the Nato cargo they handled seven months ago.

“I request the government to provide us with foolproof security to save lives and valuable cargo,” he said, adding that the security model adopted by the Balochistan government before the suspension of Nato supplies should be adopted by the rest of the three provincial governments.

The Balochistan government, according to Shahwari, provided transporters with enhanced security through police, FC and Levies. “The interior minister, commissioners and deputy commissioners of Balochistan made sure that Levies and FC members protected our trucks from Jacobabad to Chaman. Other provincial governments should do the same to save Pakistan from embarrassment globally.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Nato routes and our national pride</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403559/nato-routes-and-our-national-pride</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403559/nato-routes-and-our-national-pride#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 12 18:14:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403559</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Is there a lesson in all this for Pakistan? Yes, three lessons.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan has lifted its seven-month long ban on the Nato supply route in return for an apology from the State Department in Washington. The ‘conditionality’ set by parliament in Islamabad contained two items: apologise and stop the drone attacks. The first seems to have been taken care of, given US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s remarks on July 3 where she offered her “deepest regrets” at the loss of the lives of Pakistani soldiers in the Salala attack. The second could be resolved in a resolution in a recent development whereby it was reported that America and Pakistan could perhaps, undertake “joint defence” against militants/terrorists. The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) in Islamabad has put its stamp of approval on the deal, which will net Pakistan over a billion dollars of aid plus, possibly, fee for each supply truck that passes through Pakistan.

Clearly, the army, which runs policy in Pakistan, is on board. The decision to go soft was taken a month earlier when Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had announced that Pakistan was mindful of the economic and political power of the Nato partners of the US and could not afford to alienate them by making their forces suffer in Afghanistan due to the stoppage of their supplies. She had also announced that Pakistan was willing to separate the matter of drones from the supply route issue and would pursue it with Washington till an agreement was reached in favour of Pakistan.

Pakistan has a way of inserting itself into traps that it cannot abide for long. The army lost its cool over the killing of Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in May 2011, little realising what it looked like to the outside world and went over the edge when the Salala incident took place in November. Vent was given to rage, which should have been controlled for the sake of national interest. The media was allowed to go berserk spreading passions of revenge the country was too weak and too wracked to satisfy. The next wrong thing to do was handing over the issue to parliament where much was made of national ‘ghairat’. The foreign policy of any state — powerful or weak — must be separated from matters of national pride so that statesmanship can be practised and conflict avoided.

The big mess that sincere observers soon began to note was the delay that parliament was allowing in its preparation of  ‘guidelines’ for Pakistan’s foreign policy. It succumbed to the baser instincts of revenge and offering insult and let slip the moment when America was more favourably inclined to accept Pakistan’s stance. In this period of bad blood, Pakistanis forgot their more pressing crises and focused on America’s apology, which they thought should be self-demeaning in the extreme. On the other hand, there was much negative and ‘terminal’ (like the dismissal of prime ministers) going on in Pakistan to provoke the columnists in Washington into dubbing Pakistan a state in conflict with itself.

Then, someone unleashed the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) on the long-suffering people of Pakistan. Made up of shady semi-terrorist elements and mujahideen that the state once employed in its asymmetrical wars, the DPC asserts that they will engage only in peaceful agitation against the decision.

Although it is quite clear from all this that Pakistan did mishandle the situation, but as the senior partner in this relationship, the US could have also done well to express its regrets over the Salala incident much earlier. That would have led to a quicker normalisation of relations and cooling of tempers on both sides and would have also enabled both the governments to solve the issue of the Nato supply routes much earlier.

Is there a lesson in all this for Pakistan? Yes, three lessons. Don’t fly into a rage of ‘ghairat’ because states don’t do that. Don’t hand over diplomacy to parliament, which is bound to mess things up further. And no matter what happens, don’t isolate yourself in the world because in today’s state of international law, isolation is another name for defeat.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Why it took so long for Nato supplies to reopen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403629/why-it-took-so-long-for-nato-supplies-to-reopen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403629/why-it-took-so-long-for-nato-supplies-to-reopen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 12 17:49:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[raza.rumi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403629</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[It is absolutely mind-boggling to understand what prevented US from making such a statement earlier?]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Finally, the Nato supply routes to Afghanistan have been reopened. The decision followed a public statement from the US Secretary of State wherein she carefully selected a few apologetic words, allowing the Pakistani authorities some measure of face-saving at home. The resolution of this key transaction took nearly eight months and it is absolutely mind-boggling to understand what prevented the US from making such a statement earlier? Or for that matter why could Pakistan not use diplomatic channels for a quicker resolution of the dispute?

The answers to these questions lie in the proclivity of both the sides for grandstanding and posturing mainly to whip up public opinion as well as play a game of needless brinkmanship. Pakistan’s demand for an apology was a fair one. As a long-standing ally, the deaths of its soldiers in US airstrikes in November 2011 was unpalatable for a military embroiled in a difficult war. That said, sections of America’s disparate policy machinery also hold the Pakistani state responsible for the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. Did they not know all along that Pakistan was not going to dump some of the Taliban factions even when it pursued al Qaeda?

On the other hand, Pakistan’s abrupt closure of supply lines made little sense in the larger perspective, especially as far as its own national interest was concerned. Rational states anchor their policies in pure self-interest. For nine years, Pakistan had allowed Nato supplies to pass through and halted them in the 10th year when Nato/US troops were planning to start a phased withdrawal from Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan and its spillover into Pakistan’s border areas have been major sources of instability for Pakistan. The non-transparent and narrow parameters for policy setting have meant that achieving strategic leverage in Afghanistan and countering India’s influence are the two key policy drivers. Whilst these are important considerations, the larger issue of Pakistan’s own survival as a society and state has been missing from the discourse.

The Taliban in Afghanistan have a Pakistani counterpart — the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Al Qaeda is weak but has not disappeared and, according to several reports, has found bases even in urban areas within Pakistan. More importantly, the repeat of a 1990s-style Taliban march on Kabul is not likely anymore. So what are the policymakers thinking here? Is there a plan, a strategy of sorts on Afghanistan other than the outdated overarching quest for strategic depth? No one really knows. The contradiction between the officially stated and on-ground positions is also intriguing. On the one hand, we are comfortable with a few factions such as the Haqqani network and on the other we also complain of incursions and sanctuaries across the Durand line.

Most importantly, Afghanistan is not just a land of the Pakhtuns. There are scores of other ethnic groups with different aspirations for the future. What about the growing middle class, youth and civil society in Afghanistan, which seeks stability, and supports a pluralistic governance model? The country and the region have suffered from the imposition of a bigoted version of a so-called Islamic culture in the past. Why should we condemn ourselves to repeat history?

Despite the growing chasm between their respective strategic interests and goals, Pakistan and the US cannot do without each other, at least not until 2014. Much has been said globally on Pakistan’s present or future ‘defeat’ in Afghanistan. The challenge of mending the strained US-Pakistan relations is huge. It is, therefore, time to let diplomacy prevail with a robust set of Track II initiatives, media exchanges and search for alternative solutions, which are independent of military interests on both the sides. Pakistan faces an immense challenge in the wake of US withdrawal and has to tackle the homegrown extremists. It simply cannot delay thinking about these imperatives.

Similarly, the US must not contribute to strengthening the irrational anti-American voices through its aggressive posturing. Instead, it should think of securing regional peace through engagement and not military diktat. The latter is obviously not working in Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Nato routes: Truckers ready, but seek protection as Taliban sound warning</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403386/truckers-ready-but-demand-protection-as-taliban-sound-warning</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403386/truckers-ready-but-demand-protection-as-taliban-sound-warning#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 12 02:23:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403386</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Truckers say they are ready to start supplies in 'days', but need protection from Talibans who issued fresh...]]>
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				<![CDATA[Even as Pakistan and the US move towards an amicable resolution of the Nato supply routes with the former opening borders and the latter not 'price gouged', new dangers have emerged which threatens to derail the matter once more.

Soon after the US issued a mild apology for killing more than two dozen Pakistani soldiers in a cross-border check post attack, paving the way for Pakistan to reopen the supply lines, the Pakistani Taliban warned that they “will not allow any truck to pass and will attack it.”

"We will not only attack the supply truck but will also kill the drivers (of NATO supply trucks)," Taliban spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said.

Celebrations by truckers, who will be the ones ferrying the goods through Pakistan and into Afghanistan, were cut short by this stark reminder. They demanded security for their drivers and trucks for resuming supplies.

Prior to the closure, Pakistani Taliban carried out dozens of attacks, disrupting supplies for 130,000 US-led NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan, and have repeatedly warned of more if Pakistan reopened supply routes.

Following the official announcement NATO truckers said they feared more attacks and demanded security guarantees before the resumption of the supply routes.

"We need security, we need protection. Taliban have killed dozens of our drivers and torched hundreds of vehicles," Mir Mohammad Yousuf Shahwani, head of the largest oil tanker owners association in Pakistan, told AFP.

Ready to deliver

With the apology and subsequent route reopening catching drivers unawares, they expressed readiness to deliver their cargo.

"It is a sudden decision but even then we can start supplies in days. The thing is, who will protect us," Shahwani said.

Pakistan's announcement came shortly after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Pakistan was re-opening the routes and that the United States was "sorry" for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military in November.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan unblocks NATO routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403331/pakistan-unblocks-nato-routes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403331/pakistan-unblocks-nato-routes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 12 23:38:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403331</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Govt decides to move beyond Salala attack after the US shows ‘flexibility’.]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the end, flexibility earned for both the United States and Pakistan what they mutually yearned for: an end to the protracted stalemate between the two allies.


Just as soon as an apology was tendered by Washington for last year’s Salala check post deaths, Islamabad announced the lifting of a seven-month-long ban on vital Nato supply routes for foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan.

The much-anticipated decision was taken at a high-powered gathering of the country’s civil and military leadership in the wake of the recent developments indicating that the two sides were close to a deal.

The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and attended by key federal ministers as well as services and intelligence chiefs.

“The DCC has decided in principle to reopen the Nato supply routes,” Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told reporters outside the Prime Minister House.

The minister said that the government has decided to move beyond the Salala incident after the US showed “flexibility” in its stance by tendering an “apology.”

A statement issued after the meeting said that no “lethal cargo”, except equipment for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), will go into Afghanistan.

The government also dropped its earlier demand of imposing taxes and additional transit fees on trucks carrying goods for the Nato forces.

When Islamabad had shut down the key border crossings in November last year in retaliation to the Nato air strikes on Pakistani check posts that killed 24 soldiers, only a handful could have predicted that the impasse would last this long.

But the two allies have finally brokered a deal after days of intense negotiations and deliberations. The breakthrough comes amidst Pakistan agreeing to accept a mild statement from US saying “sorry” instead of offering an outright apology for the contentious attack.

Sources said the Obama administration conveyed to Pakistan in clear terms that it would confine itself to saying “sorry” and not offer an “unconditional apology” due to domestic compulsions.

“Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee but the issue in the first place was not of financial gain but of the principle of sovereignty,” a statement said.

Anticipating the possible reaction, the government claimed that it had implemented the policy recommendations approved by parliament in April this year to reset ties with the United States.

The government has attempted to justify its decision by claiming that it was in Pakistan’s best interest to support the transition, peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan as Nato/Isaf forces drawdown by 2014.

“To enable a smooth transition in Afghanistan it was essential for the military to drawdown at a lower cost and through an efficient transit facility,” it argued.

The DCC reiterated Pakistan’s stance on drones and agreed to continue to engage the US on counter-terrorism tools that are in line with international law and practice.


Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2012. ]]>
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			<title>Salala air raid: United States says sorry – finally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403330/salala-air-raid-united-states-says-sorry-%e2%80%93-finally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403330/salala-air-raid-united-states-says-sorry-%e2%80%93-finally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 12 23:30:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403330</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Secretary of State Hillary Clinton admits mistake, promises to avert such attacks in future.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After months of squabbling that brought a slew of acrimonious exchanges, the United States finally said what Pakistan wanted to hear: sorry.


US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday apologised over last year’s deadly Nato air raid on Pakistan’s border posts in the Salala area of Mohmand Agency that killed over two dozen troops.

In reprisal for the unilateral raid on November 26, 2011, Pakistan had blocked the vital Nato transit routes and made US troops vacate the Shamsie airbase which was reportedly housing remotely-
piloted aircraft.

Clinton said in a statement that she has offered her ‘deepest regrets’ over the Salala tragedy in a phone call to her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar. She said ‘sorry’ for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military.

“Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives,” she said. “We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again.”

Clinton and Khar spoke about “the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance the many other shared interests we have”.

She said that both countries should have a “relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region”.

The foreign minister has “informed me that the ground supply lines [of communications] into Afghanistan are opening,” according to Clinton. However, “no lethal equipment will transit through the GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF (Afghan national security forces)”.

Initial hopes of a deal on re-opening the routes had fallen apart at a Nato summit in Chicago in May amid reports that Pakistan was demanding huge fees for each of the thousands of trucks that rumble across the border every year.

An angry Defence Secretary Leon Panetta had said that Washington ‘will not be price gouged’ by Islamabad.

But Clinton said that Khar has told her that “Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region.

“This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan’s support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region.”

Reopening the routes would help the United States and Nato to complete its withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan ‘at a much lower cost’, she said.

“This is critically important to the men and women who are fighting terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan.”

Pakistan’s top diplomat in Washington welcomed Clinton’s statement which, she said, would help repair the ties damaged by the standoff over the Nato routes.

“We appreciate Secretary Clinton’s statement, and hope that bilateral ties can move to a better place from here. I’m confident that both countries can agree on many critical issues, especially on bringing peace to the region,” Ambassador Sherry Rehman said in a statement.

Clinton’s ‘sorry’ preceded a ‘personal apology’ by the US commander of Nato forces Gen John Allen to Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani during a meeting in Islamabad earlier this week.

Gen Kayani appreciated the move but called it ‘insufficient’ for reopening the Nato routes, the BBC quoted a senior military official as saying.

Gen Kayani told the American commander that the matter was not between two militaries but between two states and that it should be resolved at the state level, according to the official.


Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Not a matter of victory or defeat, Pakistan reopens Nato routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403320/not-a-matter-of-victory-or-defeat-pakistan-reopens-nato-routes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403320/not-a-matter-of-victory-or-defeat-pakistan-reopens-nato-routes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 12 21:07:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403320</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DCC decides no fee will be charged for Nato supplies. Talks on drone strikes will continue.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Following an apology from the US secretary of state over November's cross-border attacks, the Cabinet's defence committee on Tuesday night announced to reopen route for NATO supplies to Afghanistan.

Briefing newsmen after meeting of Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said Pakistan welcomed Secretary Clinton's apology over the Salala issue. "Today the US showed softness in its stance and accepted our principled stance over the issue. We appreciate this decision which is not anyone's victory or defeat," Kaira said.

The DCC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was attended by key federal ministers and chiefs of armed services.

Kaira said Pakistan decided to cooperate with NATO with a view to maintain peace and stability in Afghanistan.

As was in the past, Pakistan will also not charge transit fee for the supply route, he added.

To a question, he said transit fee is not a financial issue and it has been decided in principle that Pakistan would not charge any fee for NATO supply as it was a matter of national honour and dignity.

"National honour and dignity cannot be measured in terms of money."

The Information Minister said only necessary items would be allowed inside Afghanistan for NATO, ISAF and Afghan forces.

The Minister said Pakistan closed NATO supply route and got vacated Shamsi airbase after the US attack on Salala check post.

The government negotiated with the US in line with the recommendations of the Parliament, which is reflective of the aspirations of people, he added.

He said Pakistan has made it clear that it will not allow the US to transport lethal weapons to Afghanistan, except those meant for the Afghan security forces.

The Minister reiterated that the drone attacks should be stopped as these are violation of sovereignty of Pakistan and international laws. Responding to a question, he said that talks about stoppage of drone attacks are going on with the US.

Kaira said the US has been told that attacks such as Salala should not happen again and they should respect Pakistan's sovereignty. The US, he said, has assured Pakistan that there will be no repeat of Salala like incidents in future.

The Information Minister said Pakistan is a responsible nation and wanted to eradicate terrorism from the region , bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan and in the region as well.

A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of Pakistan and the region, he added.

To a question, he said, "Pakistan does not want clash with a super power like the US and more than 50 countries of NATO, with whom we have also good relations."

To another question about Coalition Support Fund (CSF), Kaira said CSF was not assistance to Pakistan, rather it was the amount which the country has already spent on fight against terrorism.

During the DCC meeting, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar informed about her negotiations with the US administration.

Deputy Prime Minister Chaudhry. Pervez Elahi, Minister for Defence Production Sardar Bahadur Ahmed Sihar, Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Senior Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik, Chairman JCSC General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of  Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Acting Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tanveer Faiz, Director General ISI Lt. Gen. M. Zaheerul Islam, Director General IB Aftab Sultan and seniors officials participated in the meeting.]]>
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			<title>After US says 'sorry' for Salala attack, Pakistan reopens GLOCs</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403075/us-says-sorry-for-salala-attack</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/403075/us-says-sorry-for-salala-attack#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 12 16:25:56 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[afp]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=403075</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan reopens ground lines of communications for non-lethal Nato cargo.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the US says "sorry" for the losses suffered by Pakistani military in the Salala check post attack.

Pakistan is reopening vital Nato supply routes into Afghanistan closed since a deadly November attack, Clinton added.

Federal Minister for Communication Qamar Zaman Kaira, reading out a formal decision of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet announced that the Ground Lines of Communications (GLOCs) were being opened. He added that no lethal Nato cargo will be allowed, except for that which is meant for Afghan security forces.

During a telephone conversation with her Pakistani counterpart Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, she "informed me that the ground supply lines into Afghanistan are opening," Clinton said.

Islamabad had long said that Washington must apologise for the air raid that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers before it would re-open the routes, closed in anger after the US attack.

"Foreign Minister Khar and I acknowledged the mistakes that resulted in the loss of Pakistani military lives," Clinton said in a statement.

"We are sorry for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. We are committed to working closely with Pakistan and Afghanistan to prevent this from ever happening again."

The blockade has forced the alliance to rely on longer, more expensive northern routes through Russia and Central Asia.

No transit fee

Initial hopes of a deal on re-opening the routes fell apart at a Nato summit in Chicago in May amid reports that Pakistan was demanding huge fees for each of the thousands of trucks that rumble across the border every year.

But Clinton said: "Pakistan will continue not to charge any transit fee in the larger interest of peace and security in Afghanistan and the region.

"This is a tangible demonstration of Pakistan's support for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and our shared objectives in the region. This will also help the United States and ISAF conduct the planned drawdown at a much lower cost."

The statement said that the Pakistani minister announced that "no lethal equipment will transit the GLOC into Afghanistan except for equipping the ANSF.

Clinton said that she and the foreign minister spoke about “the importance of taking coordinated action against terrorists who threaten Pakistan, the United States, and the region; of supporting Afghanistan’s security, stability, and efforts towards reconciliation; and of continuing to work together to advance the many other shared interests we have, from increasing trade and investment to strengthening our people-to-people ties.”

She added that both the countries should have a “relationship that is enduring, strategic, and carefully defined, and that enhances the security and prosperity of both our nations and the region.”

Pakistan Taliban threatened to attack Nato supply routes after the announcement of reopening Nato supply routes came.

Improving ties

Severely strained ties between the United States and Pakistan are poised to improve after the two countries agreed to reopen ground routes key for the war in Afghanistan, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States said.

"We appreciate Secretary Clinton's statement, and hope that bilateral ties can move to a better place from here. I am confident that both countries can agree on many critical issues, especially on bringing peace to the region," Ambassador Sherry Rehman said in a statement.

Move welcomed

The US commander of Nato troops fighting the Taliban welcomed Pakistan's decision to reopen Nato supply lines into Afghanistan after a seven-month blockade.

General John Allen made the remarks in a statement released in Kabul that also paid tribute to the "sacrifices" made by Pakistani, as well as Afghan and Nato troops in the war.

"I look forward to future opportunities to work together toward our common goals, by taking coordinated action against terrorists," he said.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also welcomed the move, saying the resumption of transit arrangements for ISAF supplies through Pakistan demonstrates strengthened cooperation between ISAF nations and Pakistan.

On the reopening of supply routes, Secretary Defence Leon Panetta said, "I welcome Pakistan's decision to open the ground lines of communication.  As I have made clear, we remain committed to improving our partnership with Pakistan and to working closely together as our two nations confront common security challenges in the region."

Some US officials including Senator John Kerry and Senator Graham appreciated the move.

The Salala incident had prompted Pakistan to conduct a policy review of its ties with the US, demanding that the US issue a high-level apology over the incident, and end drone strikes before the routes would be reopened.

The US, on numerous occasions expressed regret over the incident, but did not offer a clear apology as demanded by Pakistan. ISAF Commander General Allen had also offered a "personal apology" to Pakistan army chief.

Clinton's statement came as Pakistan held a meeting of its Defence Committee for Cabinet (DCC), chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, to discuss the Nato blockade.

US to release $1.1b in CSF funds

The United States will release about $1.1 billion to Pakistan's military as part of a deal that will see Islamabad lift a blockade on NATO supply convoys into Afghanistan, a US official said Tuesday.

The money, from a US "coalition support fund" is designed to reimburse Pakistan for the cost of counter-insurgency operations, had been withheld due to tensions between the two countries and Islamabad's closure of the supply routes.]]>
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			<title>Panetta all but rules out apology for Pakistan</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397606/panetta-all-but-rules-out-apology-for-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/397606/panetta-all-but-rules-out-apology-for-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 12 05:10:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=397606</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Panetta says past expressions of regret, condolences were enough.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Defense Secretary Leon Panetta all but ruled out an apology over an air strike last year that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers and badly set back efforts to improve US-Pakistani ties, saying it was “time to move on.”

Pakistan banned trucks from carrying Nato supplies into neighboring Afghanistan after the air strike, a move that costs US taxpayers $100 million a month given the need to use more expensive, longer routes to the north.

To re-open the routes, Pakistan wants to impose high tariffs on Nato supplies and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said last week that Islamabad is still seeking an unconditional apology.

But Panetta, in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, suggested that past expressions of regret and condolences were enough and held out hope that troubled talks on re-opening Pakistani supply routes for the Nato war effort could succeed anyway.

Asked whether he would oppose any further apology, Panetta said: “We’ve made clear what our position is, and I think it’s time to move on.”

“If we keep going back to the past, if we keep beating up each other based on past differences, we’ll never get anywhere,” he said.

“The time now is to move forward with this relationship, on the (supply routes), on the safe havens, on dealing with terrorism -- on dealing with the issues that frankly both of us are concerned about,” Panetta said.

But the supply line negotiations have become wrapped in a larger debate within Pakistan about what it sees as US violations of its sovereignty, which includes everything from covert CIA drone strikes to the US incursion into Pakistan last year to kill al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Meanwhile, US frustration about Pakistani safe havens being used by militants attacking Nato forces in Afghanistan has become more pronounced as the US military starts winding down the war effort in Afghanistan.

During a trip to Kabul, Panetta, using unusually harsh language, said the United States was reaching the limits of its patience with Pakistan because of the safe havens it offered to insurgents fighting in neighboring Afghanistan.

But in his interview with Reuters, he appeared to temper those remarks, saying: “It’s a complicated and frustrating relationship. But it’s a necessary relationship and one that we’ve got to continue to work at on both sides.”

At the same time, Panetta acknowledged pressures building in Congress to put conditions on aid to Pakistan.

“It’s not something that we’re pushing in the Congress. But the reality is that the more problems we have, the more difficult it’s going to be in the Congress to continue to provide assistance without conditions,” Panetta said.

He also acknowledged the likelihood that a protracted cut-off of the supply routes, costing Americans millions of dollars a day, would ultimately impact aid to Pakistan as well.]]>
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			<title>Bilawal urges Obama to 'show courage', apologise for Salala attack</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/382515/bilawal-urges-obama-to-show-courage-apologise-for-salala-attack</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/382515/bilawal-urges-obama-to-show-courage-apologise-for-salala-attack#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 22 May 12 12:38:25 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=382515</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says Pakistan deserves an apology.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has urged US President Barack Obama to show “some courage” and apologise to Pakistan for the Nato airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at Salala, and bring US-Pakistan relations back on track, reported Times of India.    

“Pakistan deserves an apology,” he said, noting that his current week-long visit to the United states was taking place at a crucial point in relations between the two countries.

The PPP chairman also called for an end to US drone attacks inside Pakistani territory, saying they were illegal and violated international law, and also the US’ war powers act.

“The continuing unilateral US drone attacks on Pakistani soil are a constant irritant to Pakistani public opinion –  both as a clear violation of our sovereignty and the toll of collateral damage to innocent victims,” he told a large gathering of PPP workers and supporters at a dinner hosted by President of PPP-USA, Shafqat Tanweer, on Monday night.

The meeting took place at Tanweer’s residence in Long Island, that Benazir Bhutto had visited several times during her trips to the United States.

Moments before the chairman’s arrival, two rival groups in the party patched up their differences and agreed to work united for the cause of the country.

Elaborating his views on the Salala attack, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “I would like the American public to consider what their reaction would have been if American troops were killed in such an attack on their border with Mexico. I urge President Obama to show some courage. I understand he is running for re-election but if he is the same man who inspired the world with his message of hope and change, the future of Nato mission in Afghanistan should be more important than poll numbers”

Referring to other incidents that led to the present tensions, the PPP chairman said, “The unilateral action in Abbottabad made many in Pakistan question whether the United States actually considered Pakistan a military ally in our common war on terrorism and extremism.”

“The Raymond Davis fiasco made many in our country question the role and authority of CIA activities in Pakistan,” he added.

“This is truly a moment of tension and re-examination. We are at crossroads. The future of the bilateral relationship could well determine the success of moderation against extremism in South and Central Asia.”

_______________________________________________

[poll id="760"]]]>
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			<title>Printing money can help overcome loadshedding, suggests Gilani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379596/nato-supplies-decision-will-be-taken-considering-national-interest-says-gilani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379596/nato-supplies-decision-will-be-taken-considering-national-interest-says-gilani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 12 07:47:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sumera.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=379596</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gilani sugges­ts printi­ng money to pour into electr­icity sector, Rehman Malik backs statem­ent.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday suggested that the government should print currency notes and pour capital into the electricity sector in order to overcome loadshedding, Express News has reported.

During the federal cabinet session, Gilani said, “We can print currency notes and pour capital in the electricity sector in order to overcome loadshedding”.

Gilani’s suggestion surprised ministers present in the session, however, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, while endorsing the prime minister’s statement, said that the “2-3% rise in inflation could be overcome within a few years” and that there was no problem in printing money.

The participants also suggested that the recovery of dues that different sectors owed Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) could be handed over to Malik to curb the circular debt.

However, this idea was opposed by some ministers, saying that this will cause a dispute between the trader community and industry with Wapda.

Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said that Wapda does not have a system to gauge the amount of electricity needed by different cities. He said that Wapda needs to develop a system to properly distribute electricity within the cities, prioritising on the demand.

Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar could not answer a question asked 3-4 times in the session about the capacity of the electricity produced by Wapda.

Gilani says decision on Nato supplies be taken considering national interest

Gilani said that the decision on resumption of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) supply routes will be taken considering Pakistan’s national interest.

The prime minister said that the government has not compromised on its principles in the past and will not do so in the future.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is likely to be formally approved by the federal cabinet to reopen vital land routes for foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan.

He said that the government does not want to take an “emotional” decision which will not be beneficial for the country.

Reiterating his stance on the right to appeal the Supreme Court’s verdict in the contempt of court case, Gilani said that he is not “scared of any threats” and that he will continue to guard the constitution.

Earlier, Gilani had said that Pakistan’s relationship with 48 countries serving in the Nato cannot be put on stake just because of the US.

On Tuesday, Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) finally gave a go-ahead to lift the almost six-month old blockade on Nato supplies passing through the country.

The supplies were suspended in November last year in reprisal to a Nato air raid on a Pakistani border post that had killed 24 soldiers and strained Pakistan-US relations to the breaking point.

PM briefs cabinet on UK visit

The prime minister said that during his visit to the United Kingdom from May 8 to May 13, 2012, he met UK’s Queen Elizabeth on her diamond jubilee and her reign of 60 years as head of the Commonwealth at the British Deputy High Commission.

He said that he also attended a parliamentary reception held by the speaker.

“I also visited Buckingham Palace for a meeting with Duke of York,” said Gilani. “Apart from the enhanced strategic dialogue review, all major ministers called on me for detailed discussions on various strands of cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.”

The premier said that the warm welcome given to him as an elected prime minister reflects the importance and confidence the UK government attaches to its relations with a democratic Pakistan.

He said that British Prime Minister David Cameron applauded the fact that the current government of Pakistan was working to strengthen democracy in the country.

“His categorical statement that Pakistan’s friend is UK’s friend and Pakistan’s enemy is UK’s enemy was a strong reiteration of Pakistan’s standing and importance in the committee of nations.”

Gilani further said that the UK has vowed to build a deeper, stronger relationship with Pakistan and that that it wants to strengthen relations in the fields of trade, defence, health and education.

“We [Pakistan and the UK] have also agreed to boost bilateral trade,” he said.

Cabinet apprised of CASA-1000 project

While reviewing the status of the implementation of the cabinet’s decisions pertaining to Water and Power Division, the cabinet meeting was informed by Qamar that the CASA-1000 Megawatt project meeting being held in Dubai was expected to make substantial progress.

CASA-1000 is a joint project of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Prime Minister Gilani told the cabinet that economic indicators of Pakistan’s economy were moving in the right direction despite the global recession and the devastating floods of 2010 and 2011.

Shaikh assured the cabinet that full financial support will be extended to the Ministry of Water &amp; Power to eliminate unscheduled loadshedding immediately and also to decrease scheduled loadshedding at the same time.

For this purpose, it was decided to utilise the full thermal and hydel power generation capacity in the country.

Correction: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this article incorrectly mentioned hydel power as hydal power. The error is regretted.]]>
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			<title>Salala raid: 'Pakistan to continue pressing US for formal apology'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379588/salala-raid-pakistan-to-continue-pressing-for-formal-us-apology</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379588/salala-raid-pakistan-to-continue-pressing-for-formal-us-apology#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 12 06:55:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rehman says efforts being made in talks with the US to get the best outcome in terms of Pakistan’s national...]]>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman has said that Pakistan will continue to press the United States (US) for a formal apology on the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers during an air raid last year on border posts located in Mohmand Agency.

Nato had earlier extended an invitation to Pakistan for a key summit on Afghanistan in Chicago hours before the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) had given a go-ahead to lift the six-month old blockade on Nato supplies passing through the country. The supplies had been suspended in November last year in reprisal to the check post attack.

In message on Twitter, Rehman said:
Pk to attend Nato summit; discussions begin on supply routes; we continue to press for Salala apology and work for best national outcomes.
Acting Assistant Defence Secretary George Little had earlier said that the US was still noncommittal to a Pakistani demand for a formal apology.

Little had been asked if the US would offer a formal apology at a Pentagon news briefing. He had also expressed deep regret and had offered condolences over the killings.

The invitation for the Chicago summit had been extended by General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to President Asif Zardari on Tuesday. Last week, the Nato chief had tacitly linked Pakistan’s participation in the summit with the resumption of supply lines.

However, the presidential spokesperson had insisted that the invitation was unconditional and not linked to the opening of Nato supply routes or to any other issue.]]>
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			<title>Analysis: From Salala to Chicago - a needed breakthrough</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379434/analysis-from-salala-to-chicago-a-needed-breakthrough</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379434/analysis-from-salala-to-chicago-a-needed-breakthrough#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 12 00:26:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[nasim.zehra]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=379434</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Public sentiments cannot dictate decisions on NATO supply routes. Government must decide and take responsibility.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The expected and the desirable from a responsible policy-making point of view has happened. Given how Pakistan’s popular and foreign policy debates have been framed, the opening of NATO supply routes and Pakistan’s participation in Chicago may in some circles be interpreted as damaging to our security interests.


It is important to be clear where the wishes of the people lie in the context of foreign and security policy. It lies in creating security, and socio-economic conditions within which the government can fulfill its constitutional responsibilities towards the people.

Public sentiments cannot dictate decisions on NATO supply routes. Government must decide and take responsibility.

As for whether this move will damage or promote Pakistan’s interests, some facts are relevant. For one, Pakistan’s invitation to the Chicago summit was linked to reopening of supply routes. There were also indications were that Washington was also beginning to squeeze Pakistan financially.

First, Pakistan’s decision will now ensure it’s participation in Chicago. And Chicago is important because it brings us into the “policy-making D” regarding the future of Afghanistan.

Clearly while President Karzai and the US are in that D, and now also pursuing the policy of dialogue with the Taliban that Pakistan has been advocating, Pakistan cannot abandon the opportunity to be part of the process.

Pakistan cannot ‘go it alone.’ We need to be in partnership on the best negotiated terms possible. Afghanistan’s future will realistically, given the political, security and financial realities, be determined by a four way engagement- Karzai plus other political groups, the Taliban, Pakistan and the US.

Two, the routes have been opened after the factor was leveraged to begin negotiations on key Pakistan-US related issues. That is still work-in-progress.

For weeks negotiations have been ongoing. Currently negotiations on three specific issues are underway: on terms for the use of supply routes, given that the previous terribly low rate of 350 dollars per container will have to substantially be increased, on terms for US guarantee of no Salala type attacks and negotiation of arrangements ensuring that there are no unilateral drone strikes in the future.

How valid is the criticism of the parliamentary process which has been gaining ground especially as US pressure began increasing? Many argue that policy-making is an executive function hence involving the parliament was a wrong idea.

Parliament’s involvement on a key foreign policy issue which has been popularized in the last three decades was necessary to get a general consensus. However that the issue was dragged for so long is a valid criticism. The long drawn out process triggered the law of diminishing returns to some extent; a fact that Pakistan’s ambassador to the US continued to raise with the government.

Washington was almost in awe of the process and began recognizing its own shortcomings. Apology was available for Pakistan which it refused, agreement to release CSF funds was there which a senior White House official and the Pakistan ambassador jointly announced but the parliamentary process dragged on and talks on the NATO supply routes did not resume.

With the deadlock having been broken, when the two Presidents meet in Chicago, Pakistan will have taken a seat at global policy making on Afghanistan and the region. And, provided that seat is wisely utilized, Pakistan will have also promoted its own security and economic interests- as we are doing in opening up trade along with conflict resolution dialogue with India.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Salala air raid: US noncommittal on formal apology</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379483/salala-air-raid-us-noncommittal-on-formal-apology</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379483/salala-air-raid-us-noncommittal-on-formal-apology#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 12 00:19:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=379483</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Little said that counterterrorism co-operation with Pakistan is on-going.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The United States is still noncommittal on a Pakistani demand for a formal apology on the killing of two dozen Pakistani troops in last year’s air raid on border posts in Mohmand Agency.


Acting Assistant Defence Secretary George Little said on Tuesday that Washington expressed deep regret and offered condolences on the killing of Pakistani troops. He was asked at a Pentagon news briefing if the US would offer a formal apology as demanded by Islamabad.

Little, however, hoped that Islamabad would soon lift the blockade of supply routes for thousands of US-led Nato troops fighting a deadly Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

“Counterterrorism cooperation with Pakistan is ongoing,” he said and added that they were working closely with Pakistan to renew the relationship.

Pentagon spokesperson Captain John Kirby, who was also present at the briefing, said that the US was committed to an ongoing dialogue on a full range of security issues. “We believe we share common interests with Pakistan. The relationship is getting to where it needs to be.” He said that terrorism was a common concern for US and Pakistan. “The same terrorists that come after us, go after the Pakistanis,” he said, saying that terrorists were responsible for the deaths of thousands of Pakistanis.

(Read: Resetting Pakistan-US engagement)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Key decision: Chicago invite further smoothes NATO route</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379432/key-decision-chicago-invite-further-smoothes-nato-route-front-page</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379432/key-decision-chicago-invite-further-smoothes-nato-route-front-page#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 15 May 12 23:56:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=379432</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[DCC gives green signal for reopening supply lines; hails invitation to president.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A Nato invitation to Pakistan for a key summit in Chicago hours before a high-level civil-military huddle says it all: The decision to reopen vital land routes for the foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan was a foregone conclusion.

As was expected, the high-powered Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) on Tuesday finally gave a go-ahead to lift the almost six-month old blockade on Nato supplies passing through the country.

The supplies were suspended in November last year in reprisal to a Nato air raid on a Pakistani border post that had killed 24 soldiers and strained Pakistan-US relations to the breaking point.

But after weeks of hectic overt and covert negotiations, the two sides have finally struck a deal.

The DCC, the highest coordination forum between the civil and military authorities on issues of national security, authorised relevant ministries/departments to conclude the ongoing negotiations on the new terms and conditions for resumption of GLOCs (Ground Lines of Communications).

According to the official announcement, the new terms and conditions should incorporate a clause, as recommended by parliament, to the effect that only non-lethal cargo would be allowed to transit through Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Though the statement did not give any timeline, official sources disclosed that the new terms and conditions have already been finalised for the resumption of Nato supplies.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is likely to be formally approved by the federal cabinet, which is due to meet today (Wednesday) in the federal capital.

Interestingly, the government went ahead with its decision without getting an unconditional apology from the US for the deadly US air raid and a halt in the drone attacks inside the tribal regions.

Those two were the main preconditions set by parliament last month for reconfiguring ties with the United States.

In an attempt to tame the possible public backlash, the DCC decided that the foreign ministry would continue to remain engaged with the US on other parliamentary recommendations, including the question of a formal apology and cessation of drone attacks.

It was also decided that the military authorities should negotiate fresh border ground rules of Nato/Isaf to ensure that Salala-like incidents do not recur.

It welcomed the ‘unconditional invitation’ extended by Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to President Asif Zardari to attend the historic gathering of over 60 world leaders to discuss the Afghan endgame.

Earlier, Rasmussen telephoned President Zardari and invited him to the Nato summit being held in Chicago on May 20-21.

Last week, the Nato chief had tacitly linked Pakistan’s participation in the summit with the resumption of supply lines.

However, the presidential spokesperson insisted that the invitation was unconditional and not linked to the opening of Nato supply routes or to any other issue. The DCC endorsed the president’s visit to the summit. The committee also discussed parliament’s call for the expulsion of foreign fighters, if found, on Pakistan’s soil.

(Read: Reopening the supply routes)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Confrontation over?: All set to unblock NATO supply routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/378978/confrontation-over-all-set-to-unblock-nato-supply-routes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/378978/confrontation-over-all-set-to-unblock-nato-supply-routes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 May 12 23:37:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sumera.khan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=378978</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan wants to continue to be a facilitator, enabler and not a blocker, says FM Khar.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Amidst growing realisation that it cannot keep the Nato supply route blocked for long, Pakistan has dropped the clearest hint yet that it might review a decision that has put its relations with not ‘only the US but another 42 countries’ in a tailspin.


Monday saw a flurry of activity in the federal capital including a high-level civil-military huddle at the Presidency suggesting the government’s willingness to revive cooperation with the US-led foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan.

The meetings followed Sunday’s huddle of top military commanders from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nato in Rawalpindi where, according to officials, the issues of Nato supply routes and last year’s deadly US air raid were also discussed.

On Monday, back-to-back statements by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar made it abundantly clear that the government is ready to drop its insistence on a formal US apology over the killing of two dozen Pakistani troops in the airstrikes on border posts in Salala, Mohmand Agency.

“It’s not a matter of one, but 43 countries,” the premier told journalists in Islamabad, giving an indication that by its refusal to lift the blockade Islamabad would risk its ties with not just the US but all countries of the North-Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato).

Gilani conceded that “Pakistan and the US are engaged in a dialogue for the resumption of Nato supplies in light of parliament’s recommendations.”

At a joint news conference with Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Foreign Minister Khar went a step further by saying that Pakistan wanted to ‘move beyond’ the Salala incident as it had made its point by keeping the Nato routes shut for almost six months.

“I think we need a closure on that and move on,” Khar said after attending a high-powered meeting jointly chaired by President Asif Zardari and Premier Gilani. The meeting was attended by Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and key members of the federal cabinet.

An official told The Express Tribune that the gathering at the Presidency was meant to take stock of the ongoing negotiations between Pakistan and the US to reset their troubled ties.

The talks, which have been going on for a couple of weeks, appear to have moved closer to a deal that would pave way for the resumption of Nato supplies as well as Pakistan’s participation in a key Nato summit.

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen had said earlier this week that Pakistan’s participation in the summit in Chicago, scheduled for May 20-21, hinges on its decision on the supply route for the alliance’s mission in Afghanistan.

Ahead of the key meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet today (Tuesday), the Kaira-Khar press conference is being seen as an attempt to prepare ground for a possible decision to lift the blockade.

Foreign Minister Khar also confirmed that negotiations between Pakistan and the US were heading in the right direction.

“We want to continue to be a facilitator, enabler and not a blocker,” was her response when asked if the government wanted to lift the Nato blockade.

“It was important to make a point, and Pakistan has made a point and now we need to move on and go into a positive zone,” she added.

She confirmed that the issue of unconditional apology for the Nato air strikes was currently being discussed. “As demanded by parliament, we have raised this issue with the US at all levels,” Khar maintained. However, she did not say if the US had made any commitment to tender an apology.

In reply to a question, Information Minister Kaira reiterated the government’s opposition to US drone strikes inside the tribal belt. “As far as the government is concerned we are very much clear that drone strikes are a violation of our sovereignty,” he added.

“There are protests in Islamabad, there are protests in other cities against drone attacks, but why there are no such protests in the tribal areas,” the minister questioned.

Meeting of oil tanker owners

In anticipation of a possible lifting of the Nato blockade, the petroleum ministry has convened a meeting of oil tanker owners in Islamabad on Tuesday, sources told The Express Tribune.

“All concerned officials will attend the meeting which will discuss the impact of a possible reopening of Nato supply routes,” a source said.

Another source added that security officials would also attend the meeting and brief the oil tanker owners on the steps to be taken for the security of their vehicles against attacks from Taliban insurgents.

A Peshawar-based oil tanker owner told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity that they have been asked by the petroleum ministry to stay alert because the government is set to reopen the Nato routes.

(Read: Nato supply route and sanctions)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Resetting ties: Govt gives green light to reopening NATO routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/366271/resetting-ties-govt-gives-green-light-to-reopening-nato-routes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/366271/resetting-ties-govt-gives-green-light-to-reopening-nato-routes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 17 Apr 12 23:40:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=366271</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Fresh agreement to be signed with US; Defence Committee approves roadmap for US ties.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan’s top decision-making body on national security gave its go-ahead for reopening vital supply lines for Western troops stationed in neighbouring Afghanistan on Tuesday.


The supply routes were blocked in November last year in retaliation for a Nato airstrike on Pakistani border posts in the Mohmand tribal region that killed two dozen soldiers.

The decision to reopen the Nato supply lines was taken by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC).

The committee also approved a roadmap, paving the way for normalisation of bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United States, an official familiar with the development told The Express Tribune.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani presided over the meeting which was attended by key members of his Cabinet, three services chiefs and the head of Inter-Services Intelligence.

Road to normalisation

The government would now negotiate and sign a fresh agreement with the US under which Nato routes would be reopened, the official said.

Though the government has not given any timeline, the official added that a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would possibly be concluded before a Nato summit in Chicago next month.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar is expected to travel to Washington soon to take up all issues, including the Nato routes, with the administration of President Barack Obama in light of the new policy guidelines approved by parliament.

An official statement issued by the Prime Minister House after the meeting also hinted at lifting of the almost five-month-old blockade.

“The US-Pakistan bilateral relationship is an important one and we must be mindful of our national interest and uphold our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” the statement quoted Prime Minister Gilani as saying.

“Now, we need to move beyond [the] review,” he added.

The premier promised to implement the new foreign policy framework passed by parliament last week.

The meeting decided that a work plan may be developed for effective implementation of the parliamentary guidelines based on Pakistan’s national interests, said another statement issued by the Foreign Office.

The committee reaffirmed that there will be no compromise on Pakistan’s nuclear programme and agreed that the government may pursue the aim of international civilian nuclear cooperation.

It was agreed that the parliamentary review and oversight would not only give public ownership to the country’s foreign and security policies but also help strengthen the hands of the government in dealing with the international community on issues of national importance.

The meeting strongly condemned Sunday’s terrorist attacks in Kabul and other Afghan cities and reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.

The meeting also offered special prayer for the safety of the Pakistan Army troops and civilians trapped under snow in the Giari sector. It was decided that the Friday, April 20 will be observed as Youm-e-Dua (day of prayers).

(Read: Reopening Nato supply routes)

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>I met Gen Kayani five times after Salala episode: Dempsey</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/357267/i-met-gen-kayani-five-times-after-salala-episode-dempsey</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/357267/i-met-gen-kayani-five-times-after-salala-episode-dempsey#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 12 04:44:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=357267</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Claims his Pakistani counterparts wanted to reset the military to military relationship between the two countries.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E Dempsey says he is pleased with the recent meetings between US and Pakistani military leaders.


Talking to reporters on board a military flight in South America, he said he had met with General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at least five times since the November 26, 2011 incident that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border. He claimed his Pakistani counterparts wanted to reset the military to military relationship between the two countries. “We want to rebuild the trust and confidence between our two militaries,” the general said, adding that this includes working the border issues with the Pakistanis and reopening the ground supply lines through Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Pakistan had closed the supply line running from Karachi to Afghanistan following the deadly November 26 incident, an act that forced coalition forces to rely solely on a northern supply route. Prospects of reopening the supply route have elicited public disapproval and religious parties are exerting pressure on the Government against any such decision.

Gen Dempsey believes the two militaries can also discuss what must be done in the federally administered tribal areas (Fata) to improve the situation in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Groups that could pose a threat to the national government and Afghanistan have taken root in the tribal areas, the chairman explained. Pakistan has sent troops into the region to take on these groups and to establish the government’s control of its sovereign territory.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2012.

&nbsp;]]>
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			<title>Blockade politics: Parliament to decide on NATO supplies, says PM</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/355095/blockade-politics-parliament-to-decide-on-nato-supplies-says-pm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/355095/blockade-politics-parliament-to-decide-on-nato-supplies-says-pm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 26 Mar 12 00:26:48 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sumera.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=355095</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Country needs civil nuclear technology for energy needs: Gilani.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Before his departure for a nuclear summit in Seoul, the prime minister spared a few minutes to make jibes at the opposition.


At the Chaklala airbase on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, while refuting the opposition’s claims on the suspension of Nato supplies, said that the blockade was the government’s decision and there was no dictation from any side.

Pakistan blocked the Nato supply route after an airstrike on the Salala checkpoint on November 26 killed 24 soldiers.

“If the opposition thinks that we discontinued Nato supplies under their pressure, then they are wrong. We decided to block the supplies after discussing it with the Defence Cabinet Committee.”

A consensus will be evolved among all stakeholders and the decision on whether to reopen the supply routes will be taken by Parliament unanimously, he said. Gilani will represent Pakistan at the second nuclear security summit beginning in Seoul on Monday (today).

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Pakistan’s envoy to the United States Sherry Rehman, the premier reached the South Korean capital later in the day. Gilani said the talks at Seoul’s nuclear summit will focus on how to further protect nuclear weapons.

The prime minister said that in light of the worsening energy crisis, Pakistan needs access to civil nuclear technology. “Demanding civil nuclear technology is not a sin. It’s our requirement.”

He said nuclear technology is important for Pakistan in order to remain at par with India and to promote regional stability.

Talking about his agenda for the meeting with US President Barak Obama, Gilani said that the meeting will be crucial to the future of Pakistan-US ties.

Some 54 leaders from across the world will be in attendance at the moot to discuss nuclear security and safety.

Meanwhile, while talking to media in Seoul, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China and chief negotiator for the summit Masood Khan emphasised that “Pakistan has very successful experience of using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and generating electricity”. 

(With additional input from APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>No US disciplinary action seen over Salala attack</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/354820/no-us-disciplinary-action-seen-over-salala-attack</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/354820/no-us-disciplinary-action-seen-over-salala-attack#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 25 Mar 12 05:53:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[reuters]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=354820</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Official says US military not planning to discipline any of its forces over the November 26 Nato attack.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The US military is not planning to discipline any of its forces over a cross-border skirmish last year that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead and plunged Washington-Islamabad ties to their lowest point in years, a US military official said on Saturday.         

A US military investigation last year had already exonerated American troops operating in Afghanistan from inappropriate use of force against the Pakistani forces – even as the US military acknowledged some of the blame in the incident.

That investigation concluded that American troops, given what information they had available to them at the time, acted in self-defense and with appropriate force after being fired on by the Pakistanis just across the border.

The US military official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, did not offer further details about the subsequent decision not to discipline US forces.

Pakistan shut off ground supply lines to the US-led Nato mission in Afghanistan on November 26 over the incident.

The United States expressed regret for the loss of life, but the US military investigation blamed Pakistani soldiers for firing first at Natoforces as they prepared for a mission in the remote corner of eastern Afghanistan.

The US investigation also conceded a critical error by US troops, who, due to a mapping error, told Pakistan the cross-border shooting was taking place about 9 miles from the actual location. Pakistan responded by saying it had no troops there, which led Americans to conclude there was no danger to Pakistani military personnel.

Pakistan's military roundly rejected the US findings, saying that apportioning any blame on Pakistani forces was “unjustified and unacceptable”.

Pakistan admitted its posts engaged in “speculative fire”, including the use of mortar bombs, which the US forces interpreted as hostile fire. But it denied that it fired in the direction of Afghan and Nato forces and was instead firing at suspected militant movement.]]>
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			<title>Nato attack: Parliamentary committee says Pakistan should demand apology</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352546/nato-attack-parliamentary-committee-says-pakistan-should-demand-unconditional-apology</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352546/nato-attack-parliamentary-committee-says-pakistan-should-demand-unconditional-apology#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 12 07:50:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=352546</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Parliamentary Committee on National Security says US should put a stop to drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) has recommended that Pakistan should demand an unconditional apology from the United States for the Nato attack on Salala check  post which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26, 2011.

PCNS Chairman Senator Raza Rabbani, reading the recommendations during a joint session of Parliament on Tuesday, stated that the attack was a "breach of international law and constitutes blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity". The statement added that the Pakistani government should not only seek an apology but those behind the attack must also be brought to justice.

"Pakistan should be given assurances that such attack or any other attack impinging on Pakistan’s sovereignty will not reoccur and the Nato, ISAF, US will take effective measures to avoid any such measures."

The committee also said that it wants the US to put a stop to drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas.

It also recommends that there should be transparency on the number of foreign intelligence operators in Pakistan and prior permission be awarded and says no covert operations will be tolerated inside the country.
The United States must review its footsteps in Pakistan which means the cessation of US drone strikes inside the territorial borders of Pakistan, (ii) no hot pursuit of boots on Pakistani territory, (iii) the activity of foreign private security contractors must be transparent and subject to Pakistani law. It needs to realise that drones are counter-productive, cause loss of valuable lives and property, radicalises the local population, create support for terrorists and fuel anti-US sentiments.
The statement also said that at least 50% of Nato containers passing through Pakistan may be handled through Pakistan Railways and added: "Any consideration of the reopening of Nato, ISAF, US containers must be contingent on a thorough revision of terms and conditions of the agreement including regulation and control on movement of goods."

The statement said: “Taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods imported in or transmitting through Pakistan for the use of infrastructure and to compensate for its deterioration.”

The bicameral parliamentary committee was constituted to review terms of engagement with the US before going for normalisation of bilateral ties.

The revised terms of engagements also stated that all agreements including military cooperation and logistics will be circulated to the foreign ministry and concerned authorities. “All agreements will be vetted by the Ministry of Law and Justice and parliamentary affair.”
Relationships with the USA should be based on mutual respect for sovereignty, for independence and territorial integrity for each other.
The report emphasises that Pakistan’s nuclear program and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised. “The US-Indo civil nuclear agreement has significantly altered the strategic balance in the region, therefore, Pakistan should seek from the US and others a similar treatment.”

It said that the strategic position of Pakistan regarding India on the subject of FMCT must not be compromised and this principle be kept in view in negotiations on this matter.

The report also reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.

'Relationship with Pakistan extremely important'

Hours after the parliamentary committee's recommendations on US-Pakistan relations were presented in parliament, the US Department of Defense termed its relationship with Pakistan as extremely important.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, DoD spokesperson Captain John Kirby said, "Our relationship with Pakistan remains extremely important to us. We have been patiently respecting the Pakistani government's process and will continue to do so. The parliamentary debate opened today and is still ongoing, so we'll refrain from commenting on any particular reports until that process has completed."]]>
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			<title>Delayed response: US to apologise over NATO air raid – finally</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352452/delayed-response-us-to-apologise-over-nato-air-raid-%e2%80%93-finally</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/352452/delayed-response-us-to-apologise-over-nato-air-raid-%e2%80%93-finally#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 20 Mar 12 00:22:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=352452</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Apology will come during or soon after Parliament’s joint session.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After months of diplomatic squabbling over a deadly cross-border air raid by Nato troops on Pakistani posts, the United States now plans to offer a formal public apology to Islamabad, officials said on Monday.


Until now Washington was reluctant to apologise over the November 26, 2011 air strike on Pakistani border posts in the Salala area of Mohmand Agency that killed two dozen troops. It has ‘regretted’ the incident, though.

“The apology may come from the highest level and will be offered during or soon after the joint session of Parliament, which is scheduled to open a debate today on new terms of engagement (with the US),” a senior leader in the PPP-led ruling coalition told The Express Tribune.

The senior leader attended recent consultations between the country’s civilian and military leadership to finalise a strategy for the much-anticipated session of Parliament.

He said that the US has conveyed to Pakistan’s government that it was willing to offer a formal apology over the Nato air raid. “And it will come from the highest level,” he added.

Another official said that the government considered a formal US apology important for pacifying growing anger within the rank and file of the army in particular and the public in general.

“The US step may be symbolic but the government needs [an apology] to save its face, so it can get on with business as usual,” the official told The Express Tribune.

He said the administration of President Barack Obama appears to have now understood Pakistan’s position and accepted the fact that “gone are the days when they only dealt with certain individuals”.

Last month, The New York Times reported that the US planned to move past the deadly air strike in Pakistan and reboot diplomatic relations, but the plan was stymied by riots in Afghanistan set off by the burning of copies of the holy Quran at a Nato base.

Under a carefully coordinated plan, the military had planned for Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin E Dempsey to make a formal apology via telephone to Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

But the move was apparently delayed at the request of the Pakistani government, which wanted the American apology to coincide with the joint sitting of Parliament.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>‘Tough conditions’: NATO routes set to reopen</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/350279/%e2%80%98tough-conditions%e2%80%99-nato-routes-set-to-reopen</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/350279/%e2%80%98tough-conditions%e2%80%99-nato-routes-set-to-reopen#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 12 23:46:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=350279</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Top civil and military leadership discuss proposals; joint session of Parliament to convene on Mar 17.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan appears to have given in to mounting Western pressure – finally.


Islamabad is inching closer to unplugging the Nato supply routes that it had blocked in protest at the November 26, 2011 deadly Nato air raid on Pakistani border posts in Mohmand Agency.

On Wednesday, the country’s top civil and military leadership evolved a consensus on lifting the almost four-month-long blockade – but under ‘tough conditions’.

The supply routes for US-led foreign forces stationed in Afghanistan are expected to reopen later this month after Parliament approves new terms of engagements with the United States.

However, it is unclear what ‘tough conditions’ Pakistan is considering for unblocking the Nato supply routes.

A high-powered huddle at the Presidency decided to convene a much-awaited joint session of Parliament on March 17 to debate and approve new rules of engagements with the US.

The meeting was chaired by President Asif Zardari and attended by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence, the air force chief, the foreign secretary and leaders of the coalition partners.

An official told The Express Tribune that the meeting reviewed the recommendations finalised by an all-party, bicameral parliamentary panel.

It was the first time the country’s top civil and military leadership discussed the draft proposals, in a move that indicates that the government now wants to complete the parliamentary review at the earliest.

The US has privately expressed its ‘frustration’ over the delay in the process, as alternative routes for Nato supplies are much costlier than the land routes of Pakistan.

“There was a general consensus among the participants that we now have to reopen the Nato supply routes,” the official said, while requesting anonymity. “For once, we have conveyed our principled position to the US regarding our red lines and we believe that it is very well received in Washington,” the official added.

A statement issued from the Presidency, however, did not specifically mention whether the meeting discussed Pakistan-US ties. “The meeting was briefed about security and foreign policy-related issues,” it added.

Presidential spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar told The Express Tribune that the meeting was convened to brief the coalition parties on issues of national security and foreign policy.

He attempted to play down the hype on whether the high-level gathering had taken any decision on reopening the Nato routes. “It was a routine briefing arranged at the request of the coalition partners,” said Babar.

He maintained that the decision to reopen the supply routes would be taken by Parliament.

Another official said that the briefing was a part of government’s preparations to summon a joint session of Parliament.

Ahead of the session, the government would also take into confidence the opposition parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, about its likely decision to reopen the Nato supply routes.  “We have taken the coalition partners into confidence, and in the next phase we will brief the opposition parties,” the official disclosed.

The consultations are aimed at ensuring a smooth passage of the new terms of engagements with the US.

Meanwhile, key US officials are expected to travel to Pakistan as soon as Parliament completes the review this month.

Head of US military’s Central Command (Centcom) General James N Mattis and Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman will visit Islamabad to revive cooperation under the new terms of engagements.

In Washington, a defence department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that they have seen media reports about the reopening of Nato supply routes. “As far as we know no final decision has been made. Such a decision awaits a parliamentary review which so far has not happened.”

(Read: Reopening Nato supply routes)

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Nato supply: US CENTCOM chief to visit Pakistan, discuss ground supply route</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346387/nato-supply-us-centcom-chief-to-visit-pakistan-to-reopen-ground-supply-route</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/346387/nato-supply-us-centcom-chief-to-visit-pakistan-to-reopen-ground-supply-route#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 12 18:09:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[huma.imtiaz]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=346387</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Genera­l Mattis is expect­ed to arrive in Pakist­an, within 10 days, to discus­s resump­tion of Nato supply routes.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Top US military commander General James Mattis has said he will be visiting Pakistan in the next ten days to discuss re-opening NATO supply routes, with officials.

The announcement came after The New York Times first reported in February that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander General James Mattis would be visiting Pakistan in an effort to repair ties between both countries.

Testifying at a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, General Mattis said that the US did need ground lines through Pakistan, and mentioned that he would be meeting Pakistani officials on his trip there in ten days.

Talking about Pakistan’s pending parliamentary review and US-Pakistan relations, General Mattis said that he remained optimistic that they would make progress in this regard.

Relations remain tense between both countries following a NATO airstrike on November 26, 2011, of last year that led to the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers.

General Mattis said that co-operation with Pakistan continues on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border after the NATO airstrike. He added that the border coordination meetings had been taking place at different levels.

In response to a question, General Mattis said that while there was still friction, they were making progress, and had exchanged Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in near border operations with Pakistan.

When asked by Senator Shaheen over the closure of NATO supply routes by Pakistan, General Mattis said that the US was currently sending supplies to Afghanistan partly by air, sea and through the Northern Distribution Network.

Reports on whether the US would issue a formal or private apology to Pakistan on the NATO airstrike remain unconfirmed.

In response to a question on Pakistan and their progress in acting against controlling the flow of ammonium nitrate used to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), General Mattis said that while it has been an area of frustration, US has had serious dialogue with Pakistan on the subject.

“They (Pakistan) have passed laws to enable them to make arrests that they could not make before and have put together a counter-IED strategy,” adding that he was optimism about progress in this regard, despite there being a need for further discussion with Pakistan on it.

The US General further said that there were a number of factors dominating the issue, including Pakistan’s control over FATA.

In his opening remarks at the hearing, Senator John McCain said, “In Pakistan our relations remain fraught by a series of set backs.” He added that Pakistan’s intelligence service continues to “support terrorist groups like the Haqqani Network.”]]>
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			<title>Salala air raid: US plans to apologise stymied by protests</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341551/salala-air-raid-us-plans-to-apologise-stymied-by-protests</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341551/salala-air-raid-us-plans-to-apologise-stymied-by-protests#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Feb 12 01:13:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[news.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=341551</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Gen Dempsey was to apologise to Gen Kayani in a phone call.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The United States planned to move past the deadly airstrike in Pakistan, and re-boot diplomatic relations, but the plan was stymied this week by riots in Afghanistan set off after copies of the Holy Quran were burned at a Nato base on Monday night, the New York Times reported.


Pakistan-US relations plunged to a new low following the November 2011 airstrike on Pakistani border posts in the Salala area of Mohmand Agency that killed two dozen Pakistani border guards. The US refusal to aplogise over the deadly attack further infuriated Pakistanis and threatened their decade-long partnership in the war against terror.

Under a carefully coordinated plan, the military had planned for General Martin E Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to make a formal apology via telephone to Pakistan’s Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on Thursday, NYT reported quoting a Defence Department official.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also to have amplified on that apology in her meeting with her Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar, the official added.

But the plan was upset by the explosion of violent rioting in Afghanistan.

Obama administration officials quickly calculated that too many regrets at once would hand fresh ammunition to Republican presidential candidates, the official added.

A senior Pakistani official said his government also wanted the American apology to be delayed until at least mid-March, when the Pakistani Parliament is due to hold a special sitting to debate the country’s policy toward America.


(Read: Pakistan-US relations)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>US delays official Salala attack apology: Report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341544/us-delayed-official-salala-attack-apology-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/341544/us-delayed-official-salala-attack-apology-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 12 20:44:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=341544</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US delayed apology after riots over the Quran-burning incident in Afghanistan earlier in the week.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[US stymied a planned official apology over the November 26 attack, The New York Times reported on Friday.

According to their report, the US had arranged for General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to call his Pakistani counterpart in Chief of the Armed Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday, and extend an official apology, the paper said, citing a Defence Department official.

However, following reports that some NATO troops had burnt the Quran in Afghanistan earlier in the week, the ensuing protests had corrupted a relatively amicable environment to deliver that apology, the paper reported.

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was to amplify that apology in her meeting with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in the UK on Friday. However, with the plan scuppered, Clinton gave a speech that reached out to Pakistan, but offered no apology.

The paper further cited a Pakistani official that the delay was to the benefit of some in Pakistan. They preferred if the apology came in mid-March, when the Parliament would be convening on hammering out a policy towards the US.

The apology may contribute to a thaw in relations between US and Pakistan, and a possible reopening of the ground supply routes. Pakistan shut down ground supplies after NATO forces pounded two Pakistani checkposts on November 26, killing 26 soldiers.]]>
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			<title>Responding to overtures: Nato allowed airspace use, says minister</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336693/responding-to-overtures-nato-allowed-airspace-use-says-minister</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336693/responding-to-overtures-nato-allowed-airspace-use-says-minister#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 15 Feb 12 00:15:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336693</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sources say Beijing, Moscow endorsed supply route embargo.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Islamabad is making no secret of its responsiveness to Washington’s overtures.


Days after the interior minister attempted to avoid the question, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar told journalists that the country has allowed Nato to use its airspace for ferrying supplies to troops stationed in Afghanistan.

“We have allowed them to transport food items by air to Afghanistan, since they were perishable,” the minister said. “However, we have also told them not to bring more food supplies,” Mukhtar added.

Last week, US Ambassador Cameron Munter revealed that Western forces stationed in Afghanistan were using Pakistan’s airspace for crucial supplies.

The US, meanwhile, wants Pakistan to lift the Nato supply route embargo since the financial cost of supplies through alternative means is much higher.

While they did not say much on record, sources say Russia and China endorsed Pakistan’s decision to shut down Nato supply routes behind closed doors.

The issue of resumption of Nato supplies was one of the key topics that came under discussion during Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s recent visit to Moscow, say diplomatic sources.

The Russian government not only endorsed Pakistan’s decision to shut down Nato supplies, it also encouraged Islamabad to maintain the ban, sources added.

The supply lines have been suspended since November 26 last year when Nato air strikes at a Pakistani border posts killed 24 soldiers.

Beijing, meanwhile, also asked Islamabad to not bow to US pressure and reopen Nato supply routes keeping in mind its national interest.

“China has extended full support to us … they want us not to be scared of consequences or any threats from the US,” said a government official familiar with the development.

Beijing had assured Islamabad it would provide assistance to help offset the negative fallout of keeping the Nato supply routes blocked, the official, who requested anonymity, added. The Foreign Office spokesperson wasn’t available for comment.

(Read: Reopening Nato supply routes)

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Reopening Nato supply routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336325/reopening-nato-supply-routes-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336325/reopening-nato-supply-routes-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 19:18:38 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336325</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Parliament will be happy to decide the matter of resumption of routes, but it will ask questions before it does so.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[It appears that the stage is finally set for a fresh agreement between Pakistan and the US over the reopening of the Nato supply routes through Pakistan. It may actually mean that Pakistan has been given satisfaction over the problems that had arisen between the Pakistan Army and the US over the Salala attack — with clear signs of a possible apology and $2.4 billion for the coming year for ‘budget support’ to Pakistan.

That is the impression one gets after listening to the latest remarks of the Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. For example, he said while visiting Jacobabad airbase on February 13, that the “US [now] always takes Pakistan into confidence when it comes to conducting operations against militants on bordering areas of Afghanistan”. The next logical question is: Will Pakistan, too, relent and let the routes reopen? To this the general has given the correct reply: “The decision to resume Nato supply routes will be taken by parliament alone.”

The elements of ‘satisfaction’ include the return to Pakistani control of the airbases being used by the US. Since these were the locations from where the drones used to operate, the other important element, namely the drone attacks, has also been partially addressed with the military holding forth a promise of bringing them down at some future time.

Parliament will, of course, be happy to decide the matter of the resumption of the routes, but it will ask questions before it does so. It will recondemn the drone attacks, which are still continuing and form the backbone of the US antiterrorism strategy in the post-withdrawal period. Parliament, where a committee is busy formulating a new template of Pakistan-US relations, will be considering the matter of Balochistan being discussed in the US Congress. To that there are two aspects and it will be interesting to see how the events unfold.

Pakistan has already protested to the US for discussing the situation in Balochistan in a foreign affairs committee. The opposition has already reprimanded the government for not rising to the challenge of defending Pakistan’s sovereignty vis-à-vis America’s hegemonic assault. However, the PML-N’s Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has more or less accepted General Kayani’s statement that the Baloch are not being killed in Balochistan by the military. How this will sit with the PML-N’s newfound friends in Balochistan is difficult to say, but scepticism over the general’s exoneration of the military has already been expressed in some quarters.

Two factors in regard to parliament’s shift of position over the Nato routes are worth considering. The ‘permission’ will not come any time soon because parliament is still not done with its outrage against the US. It would be odd if in the midst of condemning the discussion of Balochistan in US Congress, it is expected to wax conciliatory and give the go-ahead to the routes. The other factor worth considering is the public feeling after an extraordinary showcasing of strength by the religious, banned and semi-banned group of entities known as Defence of Pakistan Council which says it will attack the Nato trucks plying on the supply routes.

Pakistan has steadily narrowed its options on the question of relations with the US in particular and foreign policy in general. What does this imply? On the face of it, by going to parliament and taking the matter out of the hands of the PPP government, Pakistan has signalled national unity in the face of a superpower, but it also signifies lack of confidence and trust between the military and the opposition on one hand, and the ruling coalition on the other. It also means, the curtailment of Pakistan’s ability to take bold decisions relating to its economy considered together with national security.

Islamabad’s ‘getting tough’ has paid off and one can see more flexibility in the American stance while dealing with Pakistan. Hidden behind this flexibility is a sophisticated strategy to take advantage of weaknesses behind Pakistan’s new tough stance mostly related to the state of the national economy.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pakistan admits NATO supplies allowed by air</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336314/pakistan-admits-nato-supplies-allowed-by-air</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/336314/pakistan-admits-nato-supplies-allowed-by-air#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 12 13:10:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=336314</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar quoted as saying permission given for food items since they were perishable.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[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.

US ambassador to Islamabad, Cameron Munter, last week confirmed that NATO had continued to fly supplies into Afghanistan despite Pakistan's closure of the border to NATO trucks and oil tankers on November 26.

Relations between Pakistan and the United States sunk to an all-time low after air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border in an incident that the United States blamed on mistakes made by both sides.]]>
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			<title>Reopening Nato supply routes</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/333551/reopening-nato-supply-routes</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/333551/reopening-nato-supply-routes#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 08 Feb 12 19:35:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=333551</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Debate over the subject will arouse a lot of passion, make it difficult for the ruling coalition to reopen the routes.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar has put his hand in the hornets nest by saying that “reopening of Nato supply routes after negotiating a better deal with the US was possible”. There is rage in the reaction of citizens to his statement on the internet, and the Difa-e-Pakistan Council is yet to launch its attack on him. No one, of course, took another look at an earlier Foreign Office indication that “the routes would be reopened once the parliament approves new terms of engagements with the US”. The ban was an act of forgivable rage after the November 26 American attack on the Salala checkpost that killed over two dozen Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan asked for an apology; the Americans offered only regrets. Then, an investigation by the US Army found that the attack was unintended and that Pakistan, too, was partially to blame. Finally, it came down to semantics: regrets don’t sound like an apology. Strangely, Washington too, abandoned its much vaunted ‘realism’ and stuck to its guns and did not ‘apologise’, which meant that Pakistan was spared the humiliation that comes from policies moulded by passion. Thereafter followed the even more damaging American accusation, via a leaked Nato report, that the ISI was fully in charge of guiding and helping the Afghan Taliban who were killing American and Nato soldiers in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Mukhtar is showing ‘pragmatism’ in a national milieu drenched in passions. He says that Pakistan should get better terms and conditions following a review of its ties with America and should profit by the reopening of the routes. The Americans are going to leave but some residual presence of US-Nato forces is expected to continue, which means that the northern route through Russia and Central Asia will be used if we don’t budge. Islamabad is obviously scared and Interior Minister Rehman Malik has immediately forestalled the barrage of condemnation expected from the opposition by saying that Prime Minister Gilani has already said that “only Parliament’s decision” on this issue will be implemented. The moment of anger in Washington, too, seems to be subsiding. More and more advising elements are telling US President Barack Obama to apologise and be done with it: Pakistan is too important to set aside and that the apology would be nothing more than mere words while the drones were substantial and continuing to kill al Qaeda leaders in Fata. An American compulsion came to the fore when Pakistan was included in the Qatar talks where the other interlocutors are the Taliban of Mullah Umar, the Haqqani network and Hekmatyar’s Hezb-e-Islami. The Northern Alliance is out and all the Pakistani pawns are in play, with Prime Minister Gilani acting like a statesman in Doha.

Observers, especially in the media, dedicated to taking on the US-India-Israel combine, are already counting the money Pakistan actually lost fighting America’s war and what Pakistan actually gained from America in recompense. Their conclusion: say goodbye to the US and get nothing for fighting your own home-grown terrorists and win kudos from an impoverished nation. The American press, too, is anticipating a pragmatic closure while reporting that General James Mattis, the head of the US military’s Central Command, will meet an already somewhat appeased post-Qatar General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and pacify him further. Meanwhile, parliament is mulling over what the politicians think should be the proper content of US-Pakistan relations with an obvious, though unrealistic, reference to sovereign equality. It is expected that the debate over the subject will arouse a lot of rehearsed passion and make it difficult for the ruling coalition to reopen the routes. Any country’s foreign policy needs flexibility of response and pragmatism. It needs to be shielded from populist politics because when passions reign supreme, the policy that results from such an environment can be self-defeating and damaging for the state itself. Out on the streets, the masses are moved more by hatred for America than about the state of the economy or the fact that the country’s education and healthcare systems are in the doldrums.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pentagon rejects Pakistan army claim on Nato blunder</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326349/pentagon-rejects-pakistan-army-claim-on-nato-blunder</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/326349/pentagon-rejects-pakistan-army-claim-on-nato-blunder#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 12 06:09:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[afp]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=326349</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Not an unprovoked attack, errors made by both sides, says Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The United States rejected Monday the findings of a Pakistani probe into Nato air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in late November, saying the investigation ignored the fact that "mistakes" were made on both sides.

At a press briefing, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the Pakistani army had officially delivered during the weekend a copy of the report conducted by Islamabad on the November 26 strikes against a Pakistani border post.

"The statement that this was an unprovoked attack by US forces is simply false," said Navy Captain Kirby. "It was not an unprovoked attack," he said. "There were errors made by both sides here."

Underscoring its criticism of the Nato force in Afghanistan, the Pakistani military rejected Monday US efforts to apportion some of the blame to Pakistan as "unwarranted and unacceptable."

Kirby said the Pentagon was "100 percent" behind the findings of the investigation report released last month by the US military.

That report, while acknowledging some responsibility in the bombing of one or two Pakistani border posts, argued that Nato troops had fired in "self-defense" after being shot at by "heavy weapons and mortar" from an "unidentified" source in a remote area infiltrated by Taliban organizations.

Captain Kirby regretted that Islamabad refused to participate in the investigation initiated by the US military. He called on Pakistan to reopen supply routes for Nato troops in Afghanistan, which were closed after the bombing.

"We want to get past all this and we want to build a good cooperative relationship with the Pakistani military," he said.

The crisis in US-Pakistani relations has been overshadowed by a stand-off between the courts and the civilian government that analysts believe could force early elections in Pakistan within months.]]>
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			<title>Salala tragedy: Army rejects US probe on NATO air raid</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/325913/pakistan-army-rejects-us-report-on-nato-attack</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/325913/pakistan-army-rejects-us-report-on-nato-attack#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jan 12 04:56:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahid.gishkori]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=325913</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Insists Pakistan should not share the blame with US.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Pakistan Army on Monday rejected US findings on last year’s Nato cross-border air attack that killed 24 of its soldiers, terming the incident a failure on the part of Washington and linking it to a lack of unified military command in Afghanistan.

“US/Isaf (International Security Assistance Force) violated all mutually agreed procedures with Pakistan for near-border operations put in place to avert such uncalled for actions,” said a 25-page statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The US investigation report, released on December 22, found that both American and Pakistani forces were to blame for the incident in Mohmand Agency, which had inflamed already strained ties.

“Pakistan does not agree with several portions and findings of the investigation report as these are factually not correct,” according to the ISPR report.

Pakistan Army, on its part, had on numerous occasions and at all levels highlighted the potential problems associated with not having all the forces in the Afghan theatre under a unified command, the statement added.

“This is disturbingly indicative of fundamental flaws in the US/Isaf/Nato procedures.”

The army further expressed its annoyance that the US military in its report considered its Pakistani counterpart in an ‘adversarial role’ and not a friend.

“Implicit in the mandate is the fact that Pakistan was considered in an adversarial role and not part of friendly forces.”

The military also expressed regret over the mandate and terms of reference given to the investigating team, which was not mandated to determine or affix responsibility for the incident.

Despite promises of thorough investigations, the US/Isaf failed to hold anyone accountable after each of these incidents, the ISPR statement said.

“Affixing partial responsibility of the incident on Pakistan is therefore unjustified and unacceptable,” it added.

Furthermore, the army regretted that in an effort to provide justification for Nato/Isaf actions, the US investigation report had gone to extreme lengths to construct the whole incident as an act of self defence.

ISPR further noted that there were instructions given to US personnel, as mentioned in the US/Isaf investigation report, wherein information to Pakistan military was to be deliberately withheld. “Had the disclosure been honest and as per the agreed procedures, the attacks could have been stopped at the earliest and precious lives saved,” it stated.

Moreover, the military regretted that the impartiality and transparency of the US investigation was adversely affected when senior US officials repeatedly stated that the incident was “not intentional”, without waiting for completion of the investigation.

The army also sought additional details from Isaf and Nato to complete its investigations into the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>JI to besiege Parliament if NATO supply line restored</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/325273/ji-to-besiege-parliament-if-nato-supply-line-restored</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/325273/ji-to-besiege-parliament-if-nato-supply-line-restored#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 12 20:01:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=325273</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[This will never prove to be in the interest of the masses: JI chief Saeed Munawar Hasan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawar Hasan on Saturday warned that they would besiege the Parliament, if NATO supply lines are restored. 

Addressing a press conference on the third day of the central Advisory Shura's meeting at Mansoora, Hasan said that any step, which is detrimental to national sovereignty, would not be accepted.

The parliamentary committee headed by Senator Raza Rabbani was due to present recommendation to the Parliament for restoring supplies to NATO forces.

He pointed out that reports were emerging in the American media that Pakistan had agreed to restore NATO supplies on certain conditions.

Hasan also added that there were reports that a resolution would be moved in the Parliament's upcoming session on February 3 to restore supply lines.

"This will never prove to be in the interest of the masses," the JI chief cautioned.

JI’s Professor Khursheed Ahmed, Dr Muhammad Kamal, Sirajul Haq, Secretary General Liaquat Baloch, provincial heads, Muhammad Hussain Mehanti and central information secretary Muhammad Anwar Khan Niazi were also present in the meeting.]]>
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			<title>Resumption of ties?: ‘Pakistan to end NATO blockade soon’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324040/pakistan-to-re-open-nato-routes-to-afghanistan-official</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/324040/pakistan-to-re-open-nato-routes-to-afghanistan-official#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 12 05:25:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=324040</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Security official says tariffs will be imposed to raise funds for the state to fight homegrown militants.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After an almost two-month long impasse with the United States, following the cross-border Nato airstrikes in Salala, it is believed that Islamabad is inching towards mending severed ties with its disenchanted ally, and set to resume full spectrum of bilateral ties with the US.

The development was also followed by media reports that Pakistan expects to re-open supply routes to Nato forces in Afghanistan soon. While a foreign ministry spokesperson described such reports as speculative, diplomatic sources have confirmed that Islamabad has given the nod for the resumption of Nato supplies once parliament approves new terms of engagements with the US.

An unnamed senior security official told Reuters that Pakistan expects to re-open supply routes to Nato forces in Afghanistan but will impose tariffs. The official said the fees were designed to both, express continued anger over the Nov 26 attack and raise funds for the state to fight homegrown Taliban militants blamed for many of the suicide bombings across the country.

“The tariffs will cover everything from the port to security to roads, which after all belong to Pakistan,” the security official, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters.

No date was given for reopening the supply routes. Pakistan’s trade ministry was working out details of the tariffs, said the official. Asked if the re-opening was a sign that the crisis in relations could be tackled, the official said there was some way to go before normalcy was possible.

The two land routes to Afghanistan through Pakistan account for just under a third of all cargo that the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) ships into Afghanistan.

‘Conveniently on hold’

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview given to Reuters, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar dispelled any immediate resumption of ties between the allies before the parliamentary review of ties underway is complete.

“Now that the re-evaluation process is underway as we speak, so till the time that that re-evaluation process in not complete, we cannot start the re-engagement,” Khar said.

However, the foreign minister said the proposals for the tenor and rules for relations with the United States could be out within days.

“We are trying to push for it as we speak,” Khar said. “I know that they have completed their recommendations and we will look for an appropriate day to hold the joint session of parliament. The recommendations could come out in days.”

The foreign minister also went on to add that the US needs to be patient and gain a greater understanding of the region’s complexities before acting, adding that pressure would only hurt efforts to pacify Afghanistan.

“‘Push’ is never wise. I think that every country must be allowed to develop their own strategy and their own timing,” said a confident Khar, adding that ties were conveniently on hold for now.

Khar did strike a positive note, stressing the long partnership was vital for the two countries.

“I think this will also give us the ability, if we play it right, to strengthen the partnership and to make it much, much more effective,” she said.

“Let me categorically say that we consider our relations and our relationship with the US to be an extremely important one.”

Grossman snub

Earlier in the week, Islamabad declined to host US special representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman, who is on a tour of the region to discuss Afghan reconciliation process.

Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit, however, moved to play down the apparent snub on Thursday.

“As far as Mr. Grossman’s visit, we want this visit to be productive and result-oriented. It is, therefore, important that he visits Pakistan after we have completed our homework,” Basit told reporters at the weekly briefing, adding that Pakistan was looking forward to re-engaging with the US on issues of mutual interest and importance.

It is believed that Pakistan’s move to snub Grossman had more to do with the domestic compulsion as the government does not want to convey any mixed messages to the public by hosting a US official at a time when the review of ties is yet to be finalised.

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM REUTERS)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2012.

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			<title>Salala incursion: DCC united against NATO’s version of attacks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/321490/dcc-meeting-parliament-fully-behind-armed-forces</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/321490/dcc-meeting-parliament-fully-behind-armed-forces#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jan 12 04:45:20 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sumera.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=321490</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The committee has finalised proposals on US relations.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Despite a frosty atmosphere, the government and military officials were unquestionably united in one respect on Saturday evening: their response to the Nato border attacks which killed 24 Pakistanis.

At a meeting called and chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the defence committee of the cabinet  (DCC) decided to continue blocking Nato supplies through Pakistan. The committee also strongly refuted the US and Nato’s official version of the November 26 attacks, according to credible sources.

The DCC met to discuss post-Mohmand attack scenarios and the Pak-US relationship in detail. According to sources, the US will be asked to pay compensation to the families of the Pakistani soldiers who lost their lives in the cross-border air strikes.

The DCC rejected the report compiled by US and Nato officials, terming the findings unjustifiable and looking into ways to present their side of the story. “Members of the committee suggested that the report finalised by Pakistani military officials will be shared with the US and made public,” a source said.

According to some of those present, a tense atmosphere prevailed and no pleasantries were exchanged beyond discussing the topics on the agenda.

“The military side mostly remained tight-lipped and gave very little input during the meeting. An otherwise quiet army chief was even quieter today,” a source told The Express Tribune.

PM Gilani, in his opening statement, said that Pakistan’s honour, integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable. He added that there is complete harmony on all issues of national interest and that the government would continue to work to strengthen all institutions.

The DCC has also, according to the PM, finalised its proposals following the Nato airstrikes. He said that ties with Isaf and the US are being reviewed in line with these recommendations, adding that the national security committee will also present its conclusions and its recommendations will be considered by parliament.

The PM spoke of unity – but also reiterated the need to stay with one’s remit. He said that each organ and state institution has to play its due role, within its respective domain.

To dispel the impression of a rift with the army, the PM somewhat glorified the armed forces, describing them as the “pillar of the nation’s resilience and strength”, according to sources. On the other hand, he said that civil institutions have their due role to play in socio-economic development.

Above all, the ‘common good’ of Pakistanis was the focus of Gilani’s comments.

The meeting was attended by senior members of the cabinet along with Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and other top military brass.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Afghan endgame: US ready for Haqqani talks</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/318742/afghan-endgame-us-ready-for-haqqani-talks</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/318742/afghan-endgame-us-ready-for-haqqani-talks#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jan 12 00:53:13 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=318742</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Washington gives ‘green light’ to peace talks.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Despite having suffered serious setbacks in the aftermath of the November 26 Nato airstrikes which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, Washington and Islamabad have continued ‘dialogue’ even amidst flaring tensions.

The US has taken Pakistan into confidence over the unprecedented development of allowing the Taliban a political office in Qatar to advance the Afghan reconciliation process, sources revealed.

A senior Pakistani official stated that the Obama administration not only sought Pakistan’s consent over the Taliban office but had also given a ‘green light’ to allow the deadliest Afghan insurgent group, the Haqqani network, to be a part of the reconciliation process.

The move by Washington was a clear deflection from its previous policy of keeping Islamabad at bay over its peace overtures with the Afghan Taliban.

“Yes, we were onboard,” said the senior Pakistani official referring to the latest push by Washington to seek a political settlement of the Afghan conflict.

The US has long resisted talks with the Haqqani network, believed to be based in the North Waziristan Agency.

Contrary to Washington’s prior stance, the country’s military establishment is now looking to avoid confronting the Haqqanis head on, arguing that the group has a ‘pivotal role’ in any future political dispensation of Afghanistan.

“They [Americans] are now following the same approach that we have been advocating for years,” said a security official, requesting not to be named. The official added that Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani himself conveyed to US President Barack Obama in late 2010 that a solution to the decade-old conflict in Afghanistan could only come through the meaningful talks with the Taliban.

The Pakistan military had even urged the US to announce a ceasefire in Afghanistan creating “favourable conditions for talks with the insurgents”, it was disclosed. But Washington, instead of following that policy, initiated talks with the Taliban on its own, said the official.

“The CIA had attempted to woo certain Taliban individuals but their efforts failed because those people had nothing to do with the Taliban,” commented defence analyst Brig (retd) Mehmood Shah.

Shah – the former security secretary of the Federal Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) – said the opening of the Taliban office was certainly a “positive development”.

An American diplomat also confirmed that the two countries have been engaging in dialogue on the Afghan endgame despite the recent hiccup in the relationship in the wake of the Nato attacks.

“We have already acknowledged that Pakistan has a critical role in the Afghan reconciliation process,” said the diplomat, who requested to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani security official accepted the fact that despite Islamabad’s strong reaction to the Salala attack, the US did not escalate the situation further.

“The US approach has allowed us to keep the channel of communication open with them,” said the official.

The Express Tribune further learnt that Pakistan has asked the US not to send any senior officials to the country for the time being, bearing in mind the growing US resentment over the hugely unpopular Nato airstrikes.

Another western diplomat pointed out that Pakistan could have taken far worse steps than what was actually done after the Nato attack.

“The blocking of Nato supplies is of course a big decision, but it certainly isn’t a drastic step,” the diplomat told The Express Tribune.

“Had Pakistan denied its airspace to the Nato forces, that would have been a disaster,” he remarked.

(Pakistan-US relations: year end review)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The Great Game revisited</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/316480/the-great-game-revisited</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/316480/the-great-game-revisited#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 12 17:48:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[imtiaz.gul]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=316480</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A new political realignment, it seems, is playing out in Central Asia by US and Russia.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Imran Khan and Co. want to deal with the US as equal partners. They want the US to respect Pakistan’s sovereignty. The PTI also wants a permanent end to the drone war, as well as a fundamental review of the counter-terror cooperation. This came clearly through when Imran Khan, Javed Hashmi and others, addressed their big show in Karachi, as well as their media and public interactions thereafter. On the face of it, this sounds like a noble cause, pretty much in sync with the desire to have an evenly-calibrated relationship with Nato countries. In fact, Imran Khan had taken the lead in staging a sit-in against the sending of Nato supplies via Pakistan, first in Peshawar and then in Karachi.

It could be argued that the primary sticking point following the US attack on the Salala checkpost, on November 26, is the stopping of Nato supplies via Pakistan. This has also refocused attention on an alternative supply route via Russia, which is much longer.

In wake of this situation, Central Asia has become the hub of Isaf and Nato activity with countries like Uzbekistan and Tajikistan standing out as prime contenders to replace Pakistan’s status of a front line ally in the war against terror. Indications coming out of Washington and Kabul reinforce this, suggesting that the US may now want to station its military equipment in bases in these two Central Asian countries. This, of course, will ring alarm bells in Moscow, which would see its regional interests being challenged by an increasing nexus between America, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s negotiations with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, on October 21 and 22 last year, also underscored the American desire to create a ring around Russia and China through the aforementioned Central Asian States; the way the US is using the Pacific Ocean region for a similar ring around China (with bases in Guam, Philippines, South Korea and Okinawa).

The shift in US strategy for using Tajikistan and other states for a) marginalising the Russian influence, and b) creating alternative supply routes, came to notice when several planes owned by Russian investment group, Rolkan, were grounded in Afghanistan as well as Tajikistan. These, according to reports, were impounded and in one of the cases, a Russian and an Estonian pilot, were jailed for eight years in Tajikistan for illegally crossing the country and smuggling a disassembled jet engine. Both were, however, released by a Tajik court.

A new political realignment, it seems, is playing out in Central Asia. There is the US on the one hand, courting Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, and Russia on the other. The latter is somewhat alarmed and is responding to America by trying to keep the latter’s influence from expanding in the region. In addition to this, there is also an ongoing war of geostrategic interests between China and Russia — the two key members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. This, too, is facing American efforts to upstage both Moscow and Beijing by enticing smaller SCO members into lucrative financial deals, including payments for military bases and transit fees.

Keeping this in view, it is therefore safe to presume that even if Islamabad and Washington smoothen out their stand-off over the cargo issue, the creeping American influence in the region will continue to constitute concerns, not only for major SCO countries but, also for Pakistan because of the US preference for long-term, if not permanent, bases in and around Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Pak-US relations: Ties may thaw soon, as back channels intensify</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/315280/pak-us-relations-ties-may-thaw-soon-as-back-channels-intensify</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/315280/pak-us-relations-ties-may-thaw-soon-as-back-channels-intensify#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jan 12 04:48:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=315280</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[US’ reluctance to accept responsibility for Nato airstrike said to be a sticking point.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A seasonal thaw in frosty Pakistan-US relations may be round the corner, thanks to backdoor efforts currently under way, sources say.

The ties between the two allies in the war on terror plummeted after the US-led Nato troops attacked Pakistani border check posts on November 26. The two sides, since then, have made hectic behind-the-scene efforts to defuse the tension. The sticking point at the moment is the reluctance on the part of the US to accept complete responsibility for the Nato airstrikes, official sources told The Express Tribune.

Last week, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha went to Doha to meet US military and intelligence officials and convey Pakistan’s concerns over the findings of the US probe.

While the US inquiry places major blame on Nato, its findings say Pakistani soldiers fired first. “The US needs to accept its mistake instead of sharing the blame,” said a Pakistani military official. He said the army was analysing the US report and is expected to issue its detailed response after the corps commanders meeting in the next few days.

The US, through back channels, has hinted at coming up with a clear stance on the Nato attacks in order to pacify resentment in Pakistan, the official said. If Washington does accept the major responsibility and offers a public apology, it will help normalise the situation, the official added.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to send its new envoy to Washington ahead of schedule, said a Foreign Office official. When approached, Ambassador-designate Sherry Rehman confirmed that she is leaving for Washington this week.

In another indication of cooling of temperatures, Islamabad opted not to react to the fresh move by Washington to freeze about $850 million in aid to Pakistan.

Pakistan was purportedly assured by the US that the assistance would continue, despite linking aid with the government taking steps against improvised explosive devices.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2nd,  2012.]]>
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			<title>NATO supply route blockade: Rangers asked to take possession of US cargo</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/314202/pakistan-rangers-seize-us-military-equipment</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/314202/pakistan-rangers-seize-us-military-equipment#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 30 Dec 11 18:44:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[waqar.satti]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=314202</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Paramilitary force has acquired a yard at Karachi’s Port Qasim to store sensitive military hardware and ammunition.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The paramilitary rangers has started taking possession of highly sensitive US cargo stranded in Pakistan following the blockade of the Nato supply route by Pakistan in protest against the November 26 air strikes that killed two dozen Pakistani border guards.

Sources told Express News that Pakistan Rangers has been directed by ‘high authorities’ to take over the cargo containing military hardware and ammunition till the government makes a decision about the re-opening of Nato supply route.

Pakistan Rangers is said to have acquired a yard, namely Mega 6, at Karachi’s Port Qasim for this purpose. “We have acquired a suitable place at Port Qasim where the sensitive cargo will be stored for the time being,” a senior official told Express News.

Sources said the National Logistic Cell (NLC) was earlier tasked to keep the US military hardware and ammunition into its custody. But later on the responsibility was assigned to Pakistan Rangers.

Sources in the Rangers confirmed to Express News that as soon as any vehicle loaded with US cargo appears on Superhighway they take it into their custody. “After taking possession of the cargo we transport it to the Port Qasim Mega 6 yard,” a senior official said.

So far, sources say, Pakistan Rangers have taken possession of as many as 250 cargo units whereas the paramilitary force has been directed to keep an eye on nearly 3,256 more cargo units stranded in Pakistan after the blockade of Nato supply route.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Safety concerns: ‘US to export all NATO cargo out of Pakistan’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313455/u-turn-us-decides-to-pull-cargo-stuck-in-pakistan</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313455/u-turn-us-decides-to-pull-cargo-stuck-in-pakistan#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 11 05:10:47 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[waqar.satti]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=313455</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Frustrated US authorities weighing various options to move around stranded cargo.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Barely a month after Pakistan’s retaliatory decision to block Nato supplies for the coalition forces stationed in Afghanistan, the United States has decided to export all its cargo, including military hardware and arms, out of Pakistan.

Sources told Express News that the break in supplies has frustrated US authorities to the point where they are now weighing various options to move around the cargo stranded at various locations in Pakistan.

“It has been a month since the Nato attack which resulted in the port and border closures with no resolution in sight, the US government intends to have all import unit cargo that is currently staged at different Container Holding Yards (CHYs) moved back to Karachi port or the nearest CHY to the port. Once we receive approval, all unit cargo will be exported out of Pakistan,” wrote Anita Rice, Chief of the OCCA SWA (595th Trans Brigade, NSA Bahrain) in an email to all ‘concerned’ persons.

“To ensure smooth transition from import to export cargo in the Pakistan Customs Clearance System (PaCCS) and Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) computer systems, documents are required to be submitted to the US consulate in Karachi,” Anita added in the email.

“We require all USC-6 (universal contract 2006) carriers to submit the required documents to the US consulate, Karachi (karachidodcustoms@state.gov) for cargo/supplies currently staged outside the port for export,” the email read.

According to sources, US cargo, stranded in Pakistan, is worth millions of dollars and US authorities have serious concerns over the safety of the cargo as it includes hammer vehicles, dumpers, anti-aircraft guns, special carriers of anti-aircraft guns, vehicles specially built to jam communications, cranes and sophisticated weapons.

“We will compile information for submission to Pakistan customs for amendment for cargo export,” Rice said in her email, providing US Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Heath’s contact number for further assistance.

Furthermore, it was learnt that the US was using Pakistani routes to supply cargo to its military forces fighting in Afghanistan since 2006 under USC-6 (universal contract 2006).  Under this arrangement, US military personnel were engaged in loading and unloading of cargo while no physical checking was being carried out by Pakistani authorities.

When approached by ExpressNews, Rice refused to comment. Heath was also not available to share his version on this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Airstrikes report: Pakistan, US far from same page</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313517/airstrikes-report-pakistan-us-far-from-same-page</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313517/airstrikes-report-pakistan-us-far-from-same-page#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 11 00:22:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Pakist­an Army denies that US milita­ry briefe­d Genera­l Kayani on its invest­igatio­ns.]]>
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				<![CDATA[As the US seeks to end its missions in Afghanistan, relations between Pakistan and the US appear to be heading for a crash landing.


The army is expected to issue within a week its detailed response to the findings of the US probe into the November 26 Nato airstrikes which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

There will almost certainly be several differences in opinion.

Although Pakistan had already rejected the report’s conclusions in its initial responses, the detailed reply will be significant because it will set the tone for future cooperation with the US, a military official said.

“The US investigation report is being analysed and a detailed response will be given within a week,” confirmed the official, who asked not to be named.

Indications are that the army will totally reject the findings as questions are being raised about the impartiality of Brigadier General Stephen Clark, who led the US inquiry. “Brig Clark had commanded the same company which was involved in the Salala incident, so how can he be impartial,” the official asked.

Though the US probe has conceded that Nato must accept the major blame for the attack, it found that Pakistani soldiers fired first at American and Afghan forces.

However, the army said that Pakistan’s position was unambiguous: the November 26 attack was “totally deliberate and Nato was solely responsible.”

Army denies that US briefed Kayani

Meanwhile, the army denied reports that the American military briefed army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on its investigations.

Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby told the media that a report by military investigators was delivered to Gen Kayani on Sunday by a US officer based in Islamabad, who explained the findings in person.

The full report from the joint US-Nato investigative team was not released publicly until Monday, to allow time for the Pakistani leadership to read it first, Kirby said.

“We wanted General Kayani to be able to see the entire thing,” he said, calling the approach “an appropriate professional courtesy” to Kayani. However, a Pakistani security official told AFP that “no such briefing took place and the report was not handed over in person to the army chief.”

“The report was delivered to the concerned department (at army headquarters) but not to the chief,” the official said.

The disagreement over the facts looks set to be the first of many this week.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Nato attack: Possible action against those involved, says Pentagon</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313238/nato-attack-possible-action-against-involved-cannot-be-ruled-out-says-pentagon</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/313238/nato-attack-possible-action-against-involved-cannot-be-ruled-out-says-pentagon#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 28 Dec 11 17:02:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[World]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=313238</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Final inquiry report to determine whether Nato or ISAF forces were at fault.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A Pentagon spokesperson on Wednesday said that possible action against those involved in the Salala check post attack cannot be ruled out, Express News reported.

The spokesperson said that punishments will be handed out on the basis of the final inquiry report, adding that the report will determine whether the attack was a mistake on the part of NATO or ISAF forces.

Pentagon said that NATO and US forces in Afghanistan have been advised to improve cooperation with Pakistan.

Earlier the American military briefed Pakistan’s army chief on its investigation into US air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border last month, officials said Tuesday.

A report by military investigators was delivered to General Ashfaq Kayani on Sunday by a US officer based in Islamabad, who explained the findings to the general, Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby told reporters.

“We wanted General Kayani to be able to see the entire thing,” he said. The approach represented “an appropriate professional courtesy” to Kayani, he added.

The US and Pakistan have since disagreed about the precise sequence of events in the deadliest single cross-border attack of the 10-year war in Afghanistan.

Pakistan denies shooting first, and accused the Americans of an intentional attack on its troops.

The US report provides more details on the November 25-26 air strikes that were a result of a series of mistakes and botched communications on both sides — reflecting an underlying mistrust between the two countries.

The air strikes have damaged the precarious US-Pakistani partnership and provoked outrage in Islamabad, which retaliated by cutting off NATO supply routes to Afghanistan and evacuation of the Shamsi airbase by US forces.

(Read: US military briefs General Kayani on Nato attack report)]]>
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