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.
COMMENTS (33)
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Let my Pakistani brothers be under no illusion. Indians will not accept apology or any such thing for mumbai massacres. We want them punished.
Its a good decision.
Pakistan wanted an unconditional apology. It didn't get. US had already expressed its regret(which is similar to saying your are sorry. Although in the subcontinent it is translated as to being an apology). Just like the way you say sorry to a person whose dear ones have died. If its misconstrued in Pakistan and accepted in USA everybody wins.
India wanted NATO to succeed in Afghanistan, for that this opening of route will really help.
But, when 2014 comes and Afghanistan plunges into chaos, then Pakistan will be blamed. That seems more likely everyday.
Apology ??? What apology?? 'Mutual Mistakes' is what the US said !! '
Reminds me of the Bollywood film Taxi 9211.
Supply of dollars running low in the land of the pure so time to end the drama about honour and ghairat. Pakistani generals and politicians addicted to the smell of US dollars.
What the greatest ever effrontery and meanness of Pakistani leaders including COAS this is!!!!! At last Pakistani corrupt,beggars,slaves and conscienceless leaders have sold Pakistan's and its nation's left/remaining honor,grace,dignity,self-respect,conscience and sovereignty in the hands of US' and NATO's officials and bowed down their knees before their worldly master USA just by an informal and unimportant word "sorry" because word "sorry" is used there where you do minor,unintentional,general/common,and unimportant mistake and Nuland's this statement is the proof of it in which she said that "Salala check post attack was the mistake from both sides". What the shameful and awful act you did Pakistani leaders including COAS!!!!!!!
Pakistan has to put their relations with US on solid footing.To break off a long relationship due to pressure from the rightists would not be a wise thing.This is the time to reap the harvest. For post 2014 a more independent policy should be worked in cooperation with regional powers.
Good decision till 2014. Not beyond.
Honey bee: I dont know about honey, but certainly Money is thicker than blood
“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.
I want my sovereignity back by having the drone attacks stopped and I want my people to benefit from my sovereignity by charging transit fee from US. This transit fee should be for the using our borders and this amount can go a long way in rehabilitation of our FATA region, renovation of road infrastructure and education and health budget for which the govt take out peanuts in the budget.
We are again selling our sovereignity for FREE. Ouch it hurts Madam Foreign Minister.
Mild whisper.. sorry on the phone in ears of Ms. Rabbani.. that no one heard and nothing was done in front of newsmen. what about the road tax and the damages supply lines cause to the infrastructure of this country? for sure there is some "under the table deal"..
Hope NATO would have learned lesson by now!
As Ms Khar said, Pakistan made a point! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The point being?
So Zardari made a bargain, finally.
This is positive development for Pakistan, and setback for those doing politics on war on terror.
For many in Pakistan, US "sorry" does not mean any thing.
The mistake will be repeated time and again.
This was reported some months back in ET: JuD’s Professor Mehmoodul Hasan said, “Resuming Nato supply is a bargain of our faith.”
It is very important for Pakistani public to know that on what terms this matter is settled? Has national intrest been watched and protected including sovereignty also? News must come out from both power centers. Only then public will support them next time. What betterment for pakistan is accomplished must be on the board so every one know it. Love you all.
It takes more time and costs America three times more if they want to continue NATO supply out of Pakistan. They are just concerned about the high cost of the operation and not the lives lost because of it. I think for once Pakistan has some room to bargain and they should charge the equivalent amount of money for a speedier delivery.
Where are D e PC and their supporters .?
A wise decision indeed . Keep the PCO judges also at the bay in this regard and handle the fanatics with strict possible terms .
No letter should be send to Swiss authorities under their pressure . Ahtezaz and Awan like lawyer's should be encouraged . Gilani's martyrdom should not go in vein .
I think I should sell the dollars; the rupee won’t drop any more. Made really good money
Honey is thicker than Blood . . . .????
1.1 Billion dollars in funds from US that were blocked, to be released to Pak army. That clinched the deal.
Hopefully, the US will unblock the hurdles in the way for Pakistan to get the needed relief through the World Bank, and the IMF. However, this current Pakistani Govt. should be given loans for development projects only, else they will waste the amount and will incur more debt on an already heavily indebted nation.
It means generals and their families called dollars and incentives in USA.
I wrote earlier to this news, on this website, that it wasn't clear that the US has apologized. But after reading the news in websites of BBC, Washington post etc. -
I stand corrected. It does look like USA did offer an apology.
Maybe, it was long overdue. I still find it hard to believe that US would complicate their mission in Afghanistan unnecessarily by killing Pakistani soldiers intentionally or out of spite - be that as it may no sane mind would want to make it worse. But if Pakistan Govt. has accepted the offer of apology/explanation from the US, no further need to split hair. I sincerely hope everyone can put this episode behind and prevent such incidences in the future. Best wishes to all the players in that region for a future of peace and happiness.
What is the new toll per truck? You guys should have got atleast 1000 bucks to repair your infrastructure. Old fees of $250 should not continue.
The decsions stinks. It is a sell out of Pakistan's interests. Who got paid how much? That is the question that cries for an answer.
Sensible move by Pakistan.
"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." Oh lord has the government undergone a recent eye operation and now can see what they could not see earlier. Salala story is just an eye wash. And now can see the best interest of Pakistan.
At last discretion has prevailed over emotions. Pakistan cannot survive without foreign assistance, keeping in mind our elite who are involved in massive corruption in disguise of democracy. I wish that those killed in Salala tragedy, their families will be adequately compensated.
All's well if ends well. Now's the time to catch up.
reminds of two kids fighting over half a cookie - hahah...