Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar on Tuesday urged the reopening of Nato supply routes after negotiating a better deal with the US, The Associated Press has reported.
Mukhtar said that the government should negotiate new “terms and conditions” with Nato and then reopen the Pak-Afghan border which was being used to supply material to the Nato forces in Afghanistan, the report said.
The border was closed after the deadly Nato attack on November 26 last year which killed 25 Pakistani soldiers at the Salala checkpost.
Pakistan’s foreign office had indicated that the routes would be reopened once the parliament approves new terms of engagements with the US; however, several religious parties have expressed concern over the reopening.
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OK OPEN IT for 140 Billion USD per year and a Written Apology from Nido. Well $140 billion isn't much at all, it's much less than the alternative central asian route to afganistan. OPEN UP? no... PAY UP! then OPEN UP!
@USMANx: Yes ! that's why i suppose these politicians are now changing their tune and preparing the public for the reality !!!
"Hedgefunder", weren't you telling us that we didn't have the guts to block the nato supply?
@Saleem Khan: It sounds like your rant against Pakistan should be directed against all Muslim nations where one is just as corrupt as the other. Think about all the corruption and instability in Arab countries which is even worse than Pakistan.
@Noor: Anti-US or Anti-Pak...both are against PAKISTAN soil. Miss Noor, Try to understand one very basic point...In present world, no one can eat other country so Pakistan should never feel insecure that some foreign country will rule on us. That time is gone a century ago.
Let me tell you that 27% of PAKISTAN exports are relying on US and almost same on Europe. Our best friends are China and Saudi Arabia, but our least exports are to these country...merely 5% to 7%. USAID is the biggest NGO that supports our education plan and sponsors hundreds of bright students in several universities (IBA is one of them). I personally know one girl who is so intelligent that got USAID from college to University level. MashAllah she is now top class professional and banker. Why, because of same USAID. I am not saying that US is very good friend but we should maintain best relations with whole world. Why to make enemies and create problems for ourselves. Why our minds are so narrow that we never heard cry of US that USAMA is in Pakistan...and later he was found in heart of military base. Now please dont say its conspiracy....it is clear truth and get out of these stupid thoughts ..."Hum thek hain..baqi puri dunai kharab hai".
Sister, I was also thinking like you when I was living in Pakistan but my eyes got open since I am working in International markets. We are living in very close minded society dear. Where there is no social respect for ladies, children and old people. We are so arrogant that kills people in streets, burns homes n shops on small small issues, calls Kafirs to other sects, sells always impure products and milk.
Why we are like this dear? because we are not accepting our mistakes. The day majority start accepting n repenting on wrong doing...Pakistani society will start standing on own feet.
God bless us and give us enough intellect to judge between TURTH and LIE.
@Noor Drone only kill terrorists who are using our soil for nefarious activities. Pl. read the news clipping carefully and also see the quoted reference.:
@Saleem Khan: Drones only kill anti-US people & not anti-Pakistan.
Is this statement by Pakistani or US Defence Minister?
@Dr Jamil Chaudri: Lofty ideas but that is not the reality. After OBL PAK is virtually at the mercy of everyone in the world. It is no ones fault but her own making.
@Hafiz Shah Ali: Bhai, being pragmatic and patriotic in this time is quite impossible fore even developing countries, and we here we are underdeveloped nation. The minister might speaks right, let us be pragmatic and clever! Our national interests want us something else, and then be a proud patriotic. But yes, crying foul would make no sense. These things are fixed matched or done deals.
If the US Government, that is the President, apologizes for the 25 deaths, Pakistan should take the regret at face value, and accept it with grace. The present occupation of Afgania will eventually come to an end. In its relationship with America, Pakistan has to keep an eye on the future. Basically Pakistan must realize that America has no emotional attachment to Pakistan – till now Pakistan has had the status of a client state. . To put the status on a more even keel, Pakistan must articulate the type of long term, sustainable, relationship it wishes to have; similarly US must be generous and open in its expectations from Pakistan. America should realize that individuals and Nations do not like to be in a subservient or client status; especially long term subservience. . Pakistan must realize that America is guided by self-interest. Further, America has enormous destructive power. Moreover, America uses its economic power to bribe and induce individual behavior in weak and essentially undemocratic states to become local agents of American policy. . This is not to suggest that Pakistan should live in fear of America; just that Pakistanis must start strengthening its Civil Society, and not alienate minorities and regions.
NATO will need to be opened at some point. It is an eventuality so Pakistan should just ry to negotiate the best deal possible. In an ideal world, there would be no destabilization next door in Afghanistan after the Soviets were kicked out but we all know the West abandoned the region then. They will abandon the region again soon but Pakistan should do what is in its best interests since it will be left to clean up the mess just like last time. Musharraf squandored the royalties over transit routes because of his inexperience and self interest in staying in power. Now the nation should charge a market rate for the transit facility just like Russia and the Central Asian states. Then the nation will not need any aid whatsoever.
A classic case of "act now and think later".
PAK politicians knew that they cannot shut off NATO supply line. They should have thought of that before acting under "pride and prejudice".
Now all the anti-govt and religious forces including IK will join in force and will create a mess.
If I were a politician, I will not miss this opportunity to oppose reopening and reap maximum political gain.
By end of Feb, the supply line will be open and there will be lot of protests, mass rally and soon every one will find a new cause.
Heavy revenue must be levied on each container leaving for Afghanistan. Imagine the colossal amount that will be generated in billions this country badly needs, instead of thriving on Aids.and Loans. Please hurry, without comprising on the 'Terms and Conditions', being recommended by the Committee of the National Assembly.
@Saleem Khan: Yeah, you should say so, because non of your family member has been killed amongst them. your infant children, your women, your elderly mother and father, your sister and brother and their children. NON of your family members have died in those Drone attacks, so if you don't support it, then who else?
The military knows that with every passing day your losing leverage on making a new deal with the USA - timing is everything and your running out of time.
We must allow NATO to use Pakistan as supply line because it is in Pakistan interest too. Apart from political statements and loud speeches by Politicians....even Drones are in Pakistan favour and they all know it. These are DRONES that broke the backbone of Terrorists in North Waziristan. Drones have killed maximum terrorists and crushed hideouts. Result is clear....AL QAYDA is relocating to Africa, decrease in Terrorists attacks in main cities of Pakistan, killing of maximum top ranked Terrorists in the region.
We must use intellect and results of such actions. NATO supply line is generating revenue, employments and business for maximum Pakistanis. NATO can use many other ways but why we should give opportunity to others...so lets use our strength. Dears, it is world of competition...if you are not interested then many others are ready (including Muslim countries) to do same work.
Good luck and I know you readers get angry after reading my view...but I have right to say what I feels is truth. (Im not an emotional or double standard guy).
These are the worst people on the planet! They have no ethics and only live on this planet for $$$. The only way to end this bloody war to keep the supplies closed! The people of Pakistan will not tolerate this anymore!
On drone attacks, this minister is on record to have admitted that drones only land on Pakistani soil but don't take off for attacks. Its a tragedy that a person of Ahmed Mukhtar's caliber is a defence minister of a nuclear power nation.
M. RAFIQUE ZAKARIA Karachi.
Squandering an opportunity of distancing yourself from so called war on terror. Mr. Defense Minister, how much profit is "Service" making these days?
Please Do not reopen the supplies for Nato because we hate US Forces, the war against terrorism, and the Nat's Also...
It shouldn't be!
open the nato supplies otherwise his US citizenship will be taken away!!
No need to open the supply routes. Act smart and get a life "Mr. Defence Minister".
There's something called "self-esteem". Go and find out its meanings!!!
Pakistan receives F-16 planes from US !!!! reopening will sure follow shut down again soon.
By the way what is parliamentary committee doing?.What are their recommendations---this should be priority activity.
Let Pakistan not loose out and be cornered.Be pragmatic and patriotic.
Preparing the Public for Done Deal ! Oh Pakistan, where is your Ghairat ??
Sack the minister. The Pakistani public will not tolerte this. Lets not sell for money, for once.