NATO supply issue linked with 48 countries, not just US: Gilani
While indicating a possible shift in the policy towards Nato supply routes, Gilani said, “this is not a matter of one country, the issue of Nato supply is linked with 48 countries.”
The prime minister was speaking to the media after addressing a visiting 100-member youth delegation from China at the Prime Minister House.
Gilani was of the view that “talks between Pakistan and the US are going on regarding the resumption of Nato supplies in the light of parliament’s recommendations, but ties with Nato-Isaf and the US should be settled through dialogue on an undeviating basis.”
Gilani voiced that Pakistan desires good relations with the entire international community including its neighbouring countries.
The prime minister’s statement endorsed the given earlier by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
Khar was the first official from Pakistan who hinted towards a green signal to reopen the Nato supply route five months after its closure, saying Pakistan would be the one to suffer more if the supplies remain suspended for an indefinite time span.
Last week, Secretary General Nato Andres Fogh Rasmussen had opined that Pakistan should restore the supply route and he also declared that Pakistan had not been listed among the countries invited to attend the Chicago Summit.
Pakistan had closed down supply routes for the Nato forces in Afghanistan after a fatal attack on a bordering check post of the Pakistan army in Mohmand on November 26. The attack had left at least 24 Pakistani soldiers dead.
Earlier during the day, Gilani apprised President Asif Ali Zardari on his UK visit, in which the president lauded the premier’s efforts of getting a positive outcome of the visit.
The president articulated his sheer confidence that Gilani’s visit will further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
The two leaders also discussed the impending restoration of Nato supply routes and also discussed the overall political situation in the country.
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Get some F-16 Block 70 of Eurofighter
@Ahmer Ali: What makes you think that they are not??? There has been intense pressure from all sides and only US and UK are shown/visible in the local media.
BTW US has the biggest contingent in the ISAF Nato forces
In 48 countries only USA and UK are complaining for blockade of NATO's supply routes and insisting and emphasizing on the re-opening.The question rises here that why not the other countries are complaining and insisting on it and not discussing this issue like USA and UK?
All you guys this decision must be from Army chief since they are the real makers of Policy so stop blaming PPP and GOvt on this atleast.
@Pakistan politics: and if you hinder things in Afghanistan you become a problem. There are also reactions to that, that you can't handle.
Guys these are times of deal makings with the West. These are the chances of breaking deals with the West, such as, to write off all debts of Pakistan. Promise an investments of at least $50bn in next decade. Pakistan should impose heavy taxes on the supply routes. Demand compensations for the victims family, and figure out terms, in-case if 24th November is repeated again in the future. As a matter of fact, it is not practically possible to close routes and borders with its neighbors for indefinite period of time and especially with on a western border (a recent gift of illegitimate child of US on our western border). People should be urging government to make deals in return of re-opening supply routes. You need to keep economy functioning.
After all folks, respect is earned not given.
@Sukkur Saheb: let me tell u the issue of Balochistan..it is not like a thin thead holding Balochistan..the issue of balochs and balochistan are two different things..two or three tribes of baloch want independence, the rest are content with remaining in the federation with provincial autonomy..these pro federation tribes contribute a good number..the other factor which is conveniently overlooked is the settlement of Pashtuns in Balochistan..these Pashtuns are represented by JUI(F) and Pashtoonkhuwa Milli Awami Party ( PKMAP ).They never want to join their voices with seperatists as pashtun leaders have categorically said in interview aired on different channels..then there is a considerable number of Hazaras.So.presenting a bleak picture that balochistan will fall by a minor jolt is a overstatement..Media is prone to sensationalism and those who comment on Balochistan don't know anything what Balochistan is..ground realities and aspirations are different on different pieces of Balochistan..Balochistan is not the name of BLA, BRP, BLF, Baramdaagh Bugti and Mr Marri of London.
@gp65: 1st, USA was leading that attack, and USA leading NATO and its USA which started the war in AFghanistan. so the Apology must be from USA, and not less than the WHITE HOUSE!
2nd, you have highlighted to very good point, and its that the SALALA Attacks was doen by both USA & NATO, so the apology should not be JUST FROM USA, so we also want the NATO (with its 40 COUNTRIES) aPoLoGy on SALALA Attacks...
3rd, the 40 countries U mentioned which is NATO's members most of them have no any political & military and geographically values, and just few countries like France & UK & Canada are importants and these countries also now preparing for leaving Afghanistan, and end the war..... PLUS many NATO countries are Pakistan's friends and some of them are Muslim countries & members of OIC like Turky and Albania , so these countries will not support the unjust and mistakes of USA and these countries have no any well participation on war on terror...
so the matter is not as U think...
again we Pakistanis wont allow the supplies pass from our lands!!
Pakistan Zinda Baad
Should have thought about it before the decision had been taken my dear convicted Prime Minister.. why have your feet started burning now?
This convicted PM has the room to say anything, he has no credibility and should be kicked out of Islamabad. Some one should tell this idiot, it was not NATO which has killed 26 Pakistani soldiers deliberately but the Americans. I don't think any other nationality was involved in that massacre . Gilani, you have no shame and now your son is involved in corruption, why don't you leave. Go ahead sell out the country and follow the footsteps of that brave commando who has done so much damage to this country.
Double dealing and back pedaling the modus operandi of Pakistan. At least the politicians of Pakistan are in character and playing it smart. The only people in denial of this state of affairs are the Awam. They are either terribly misinformed or deliberately brainwashed into thinking that the status quo will be some how different this time. The more things change the more they stay the same, especially in Pakistan.
If it is a question of 48 States, then why did we demand an apology only from the U.S. What took the Prime Minster so long to realize that there are 48 other States involved in this war on terror.
Nisar Ali
Shame on you... A BIG SHAME
Most of this dispute hinges on the key word - "unconditional". Seems to me that Pakistanis readily believe that the American's intentionally targeted a remote outpost in the middle of the night for no other reason that they were frustrated because they are losing the Afghan war. Never dawns on them that the American's don't view themselves as losing this war since they have removed the Taliban from power, killed OBL, put Al Qaeda back on it's heels, and are leaving on their terms and timetable. What amazes me is that few within Pakistan have the guts to even discuss the lack of real motive or the history of Pakistan border troops initiating cross border fire. Go figure.
Prime Minister Dr.Gilani is right.Please let him do his job.We love Prime Minister Gilani.He is th Father of the nation.
"“this is not a matter of one country, the issue of Nato supply is linked with 48 countries.”" Couple of observations: 1. Was this fact not taken into consideration when the lines were closed? 2. The Salala checkpost was bombed by NATO not by US. So why was apology sought from US instead of NATO commander?
@Umair: Watch this space ! NO APOLOGY will arrive, while the supply route will be re-opened !!!
If it was to do with 48 countries then why the hell it supply route was closed in the first place.It is simple they first tender apology and then we open the route......khalas.....ghairat and beghairat brigade both have the same views.
It wont be opened. The climate and sentiment in Pakistan is very dire. There are huge protests/clashes over loadshedding in many areas. People will look for something to be more mad about .
@Hedgefunder: they would prefer to say sorry rather quitting drone strikes or providing any monetary benefit to Pakistan.
@Umair: "OK! No problem, so let them apologize first."
Its Time you, people come to tems with the notion, that there will be NO APOLOGY Coming !!!
NATO supply issue linked with 48 countries, not just US: Gilani......Didn't all the 48 countries (aka NATO) killed 24 of our soldiers at Salala? So we are opening the routes against the public opinion in Pakistan.
Not 48 countries at all. The issue has really lost it's importance to most of NATO.
France is withdrawing this year. ANA control is at 75%. etc. etc.
It is AMERICA, THE USA, UNCLE SAM, YANKEES, who want to remain.
King Kong! Countries like Japan, South Korea, UAE,-( In theory Pakistan is also included among them, but in practice it is undermining the UN mission) all of them support the UN and Nato Afghan mission, but they are not Nato members. And I think Mr. Gilani had this in mind when he said 48 countries.
OK! No problem, so let them apologize first.
PTI has said they will block the supply routes.
This government needs to out NOW.
The people are HATING YOU MORE AND MORE by the day
Gilani said, “this is not a matter of one country, the issue of Nato supply is linked with 48 countries.” How does this issue affect 48 countries when there are only 28 NATO members? Is this one more example of Gilani's political gaffes?
Pakistani leaders have no guts... they only worry about their pocket and self interests.. They are not leaders - they are thieves and dacoits.
Suppose all the bravado and bellicosity evaporated and now every one is changing the tone to find excuses.
Fantastic, we Americans always knew Pakistani's were in it for the money and nothing else.
@Pakistan politics
Our bluff has been called. Our trump card was a damp squid. Where are the grand claims of our geostrategic significance which you considered the game changer? Our entire foreign policy was based on an illusion.
"NATO Supply issue linked with 48 countries, not just US: Gilani". NO KIDDING!!!!! Really!!! You realising it after 6 months. They played their little games for all this time, now it is time to fall back in line. Another of "Strategic Brilliance" from Army brass come to its logical conclusion.
@Pakistan politics: there is nothing that US can do in Afghanistan without the support of Pakistan they can not blackmail us if we take a strong stand all regional powers support Pakistan’s role in Afghan war Which regional powers you talk about? Who is blackmailing whom? Just because Afghanistan is landlocked, you expect that everybody fall on our feet and beg for passage. What benefits those countries get by making friendship with Pak and Afghanistan both failed nations. Already Balochistan is hanging by a weak thread, and one small push by any major power is enough to fall apart. We should not act on sentiments or road side provocations or bearded one eyed monsters. National interest should only be criteria for making decisions.
So, Forgot the 26 soldiers
So tell me something you didn't know before you started painting yourself into the corner you find yourself in? It's an issue you should have considered before you handed over foreign policy decisions to the Parliament.
so wat we should not reopen the NATO supplies otherwise we will protest with the JUD party
Gillani at least have some shame and a little courage
backtracking form previous stance, is that what u call a good foreign policy, ur just gonna embarrass the nation
US is threatening Pakistan that it would not be invited to a conference to decide the future of Afghanistan and PPP is just trying to fool the nation that it would be bad for Pakistan for not being part of it, but there is nothing that US can do in Afghanistan without the support of Pakistan they can not blackmail us if we take a strong stand all regional powers support Pakistan's role in Afghan war.