ISLAMABAD: NATO has invited President Asif Ali Zardari to next week's summit in Chicago, a presidential spokesperson told AFP on Tuesday.
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen had called Zardari in the afternoon to invite him to the summit.
Spokesperson to the President, Farhatullah Babar said that the invitation was unconditional and not linked to the reopening of ground lines of communication for Nato or to any other issues.
Zardari said that he would consider the invitation in light of the guidelines of the Parliament and the advice of the government. He said that the decision will be communicated to Nato later.
NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Pakistan had "an important role" to play in the future of Afghanistan, which will be the focus of the second day of the summit.
"We're working very closely with Pakistan to allow the opening of the transit line because obviously this is in everybody's interest," she said.
The defence committee of cabinet is to convene at around 1430 GMT, followed by a cabinet meeting on Wednesday which is widely expected to decide to reopen overland NATO supply lines into Afghanistan, closed since November.
Sources familiar with the discussions told AFP the government had effectively decided to end the blockade, probably by the beginning of next week.
Both sides had found "broad agreement" on logistics for the fuel and other non-lethal supplies that would go overland through Pakistan to Afghanistan, one source said.
"The meetings will indicate that the decision has the backing of all the stakeholders," the source told AFP.
"This should minimise the prospect for militant groups to exploit the situation in the hope that they'll get the backing of the military establishment."
Pakistan previously negotiated a fee of $160 per 40-foot container and is now looking to secure anywhere from $320 to $500, although the figure has yet to be agreed, one source told AFP.
The United States has also guaranteed payment of at least $1.1 billion should the borders reopen, as compensation for fighting militants, the source added.
Mir Mohammad Yousuf Shahwani, chairman of the All Pakistan Oil Tanker Owners Association, told AFP he had been informed by a senior official in the petroleum ministry that Pakistan would reopen the supply line within days.
The invitation comes a day after Foreign Minister Khar had stated 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.
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.
Both Khar and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had made it clear on Monday 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.
Nato supply routes have been closed for over six months in response to a US attack on a check post that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
COMMENTS (49)
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@Faraz: Well said. Agree 100%.
do we have any other choice ,r/we superpower of the world no we depend on 50 countries in NATO , for exporting r/goods.time is not r/side and we r/not so strong to fight w/them,so wait for rite time and condition.do u/want to stop nato supplies for that we have to be strong country but we r/not ,even INDIA back down from IRAN for oil suppies.we they back down they know this not the right time and condictuon to India to void US ,to gang some thing u/have loss some thing,watch for that India will ask some thing big for there country .and what r/leaders gonna ask ,they will ask for them some more free trades.
@Uza Syed:
"You and your ‘billions’ ! Tell you what, since you wish talking about it and expect us to admire, nay be grateful to you, perhaps, for remitting all “these billions” to Pakistan ........ So, please, please stop pulling this cheap one about your billions. And if any of you wish insisting on this then let Pakistan remind you that the skills that you have, and market whereever, was provided right here in Pakistan at the cost of the rest of us, so perhaps it’s time to pay up what you owe Pakistan."
You got my attention due to your highly irrational comments, and I have been following your comments since then. I don't blame you for your amateurish cognizance as this is a well known trait of "Jialas" along with deficient logic. Most of the overseas Pakistanis went abroad, leaving their families and loved ones behind, because they couldn't find a job in Pakistan, which is one of the responsibilities of a government, and they needed to earn their livings so that they could feed themselves and their families. By this, they not only absolve the government of her responsibility, but also indirectly support other Pakistanis by sending billions without which Rupee will nose dive - perhaps 1000 rupee to 1 dollar, as was with many other countries - and you will know how to survive. It is not that they are doing it to oblige their countrymen, rather as a return what they owe to Pakistan, but at least you can appreciate their positive contribution to Pakistan's economy. I guess you already know what is a "Multiplier effect" in economics, else you can check it online.
@Chief Saab - with you man ! I resonate with you.
@Uza Syed - Come-on dont get caught into blaming outpat Pakistanis. maybe live a few years outside Pak and you will also resonate with Chief Saab.
Very good. We shouldn't have stopped it in the first place. When taliban kill our soldiers no one cries but when america kills by mistake everyone wants to end aid.
Why this kolavari di? Only 2 years remaining for US to withdraw the troops from afghanistan. In the mean time to try to control the extremism from madarasa. Just chill.
I am happy that Pakistan is ultimately invited to Chicago summit. In my previous comment on ET, I had pointed out that Pakistan is an important player who should have been invited even though other three countries including India could have made some important contributions.
NATO summit is not in the interest of Pakistan and nor is opening supply routes. Any strategist will know that keeping the supply route closed permanently is very much in the strategic interest of Pakistan. Any decision against such strategy is out of sense and question. Parliamentary guidelines of end to drone attacks are in place, and Gilani has still maintained that they have to be followed.
Supply lines will not be opened. It was all hype to get the invitation, but Kayani must be aware now that it does not serve Pakistan's interest to take part in NATO summit.
@Chief saab, U are correct i agreed man and what they know who lives in pakistan enjoy there culture freedom of reliegen and no fare to any thing what they know that how we live and goes through and send our saving to back families the big families many of men dont do nothing like our rullers.
back in 2001 , i supported musharraf stance to side with NATO and agreed with UN mission in afghanistan and overthrow of taliban . But what we got in return? 30,000+ killed. 4000 soldiers lost. Now as we see NATO has been humiliated by Taliban+Pashtun Tribesmen and Hizb-ul-Islami we should nt be on their side.
@Uza Syed: "let me ask one straight and simple question, do you really, honestly think of helping Pakistan when sending those ‘billions’ or is it to help out your families that you couldn’t take along and abandoned here, and it just so happened that they are in Pakistan and thus money comes this way, if they were in ‘Timbuktu’ — would your money not be going in that direction?" Let me answer your questions and assumptions. Not all the money overseas Pakistanis remit to Pakistan goes to help their families alone. A huge chunk of it goes to support welfare programs, aid construction, and help needy Pakistanis. Don't believe me? Ask the NGOs such as Human Development Foundation, TCF, Edhi Foundation, DIL, Your Dil, and visiting Pakistani scholars how much money they get from overseas Pakistanis. Overseas Pakistanis contribute heavily in times of natural emergencies such as floods and earthquakes in Pakistan. Also regarding your naive assumption that overseas Pakistanis help families just because they couldn't take them along and abandoned them, that's the farthest-from-reality thing that I've ever read. Families live in Pakistanis out of their own choice and desires. Also, if my family was from Timbuktu, my loyalty would be to Timbuktu and the money would flow there. Now you can't expect a Mexican to send money to Pakistan or would you??? Now next to your second point which has some merit. "let Pakistan remind you that the skills that you have, and market whereever, was provided right here in Pakistan at the cost of the rest of us" While it is true that overseas Pakistanis got skills in Pakistan, they never got them at anybody else’s' cost. How did my education in Pakistan cost you a paisa? How did my skills take away anything from you? I got what I got based on my family's expenditure, so I don't owe a damn thing to you or your family. If I owe anything, I owe it to my family and Pakistan alone not you or any Tom, Dick, and Harry.
I am so happy to hear the good news about the invitation extended to our Country. I am so proud of Mr. Zardari, and Mr. Gilani.Keep up the fantastic work. I am so happy that I will find it hard to go to sleep tonight. Well done to all parties that made it happen.
Those blaming COAS in hidden words for all this decision will they ever use their mind...I mean if our Civil leadership is so childish & weak that their strings are being pulled y army despite having all the mandate then why don't they simply resign in protest?? Why taking all the advantages of government & then blaming every wrong action over army.. WHY?? & importantly few fools are also singing their ages old mantra of Siyasi Shaheed!!
Well done COAS and Zardari for not listening to the fanatics. They are there just to make noise and nothing else.
I am surprised to see that Pakistan's Economy is survived by USD 320/Container & 2 Billion USD aid which is expected to be recieved by Pakistan after resumption of Nato supplies. But more important is the fact that pakistan economy is surv ived only by this AID but still Pakistani public has tremendous hatred in them for americans & America.
I am quite lucky that my country India is not actively involved in this talks & we are not invited there , because otherwise we also would have been under attack by these extremists like taliban.. I also suggest my loving neighbour Pakistan to be away from them as the terrorists attacks at Pakistani territory will increase if Pakistan renters actively into this.Pakistan"an important role"to play,always played for somebody's personal gain but against national.
Thank God better sense prevailed!
Macho Mania is over hahahhahahha
@Chief "Saab": You and your 'billions' ! Tell you what, since you wish talking about it and expect us to admire, nay be grateful to you, perhaps, for remitting all "these billions" to Pakistan ------ let me ask one straight and simple question, do you really, honestly think of helping Pakistan when sending those 'billions' or is it to help out your families that you couldn't take along and abandoned here, and it just so happened that they are in Pakistan and thus money comes this way, if they were in 'Timbuktu' --- would your money not be going in that direction? So, please, please stop pulling this cheap one about your billions. And if any of you wish insisting on this then let Pakistan remind you that the skills that you have, and market whereever, was provided right here in Pakistan at the cost of the rest of us, so perhaps it's time to pay up what you owe Pakistan.
God day!
@Nadir: and why has "Poor Zardari" to take the blame? This is the problem with PPP mentality. They enjoy all perks associated with govt but never take responsibilities that come with it e.g governance, management, decision-making etc. At the end of the day, PPP apologists say: "XYZ pulls the string and Poor PPP takes the blame". How convenient na??
We need Dollors, we need secure political future, we need future of our children and after all our money abroad! We are pakistani leaders and we don't bother about foolish pakistanis.
@True Muslim Paki: You profess to be purer than the pure. Have you paid your taxes in full?
Sarcastic comments all over. Guys, make some positive comments. If you really want to criticize and be taken seriously, adopt a more responsible tone. The people's fate depends on these decisions and you guys apparently not having any other source of entertainment start using this more tolerant forum (first in Pakistan, courtesy ET) for taking your shots at sarcasm.
@Tauseef Mallick:
"They begged us" Really, come on the, do you think the United States will ever beg Pakistan for anything.
@True Muslim Paki:
Since when has Pakistan respected other countries. Since when has Pakistan shown respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty and right to self determination. Respect is earned. You're probably also confusing respect with fear. People like you use "fear" not respect.
What has actually happened is that the govt. has already guaranteed the opening of supply routes to the NATO. Moreover, they told NATO that opening of routes will be announced after the invitation to the summit is officially sent to us. This way they can trick the people of Pakistan by saying that they got the invitation with no strings attached (we did not fold, we are a proud nation, blah blah, yada yada). This phase is now complete :)
Phase two: Opening of supply routes.
How stupid does the govt. think that we are?
You can expect any thing now, they will try each and every thing. I suggest we should not be a part of it. :)
"He said that the decision be communication to Nato later." Carried away with the excitement, ET?
I just wish they would stop posturing and get on with it. Seems silly to say now that we are looking at everything from the point of view of the parliament resolution when there is no way that you can comply with the resolution and still go to Chicago - and go to Chicago you must.
very good step now pak should facilitate the peace process
@Uza Syed: "I as a Pakistani citizen support my government and don’t give a damn to those ‘ex-pakistanis’ who have traded their Pakistaniness for something else and now wish to give us lectures on patriotism and nationalism." It is those same ex-Pakistanis that remit billions of dollars to Pakistan and enable Pakistan to repay its debts. It is those same ex-Pakistanis that work day and night to bring a positive name/image to Pakistan. Look at Pakistanis who live abroad who try harder than Pakistanis living in Pakistan to improve Pakistan's image in the real world. A lot of these ex-Pakistanis are more loyal and patriotic than Pakistan-based Pakistanis. Most of them still have families living in Pakistan and support Pakistani businesses/products worldwide. If you don't give a damn about ex-Pakistanis then maybe you should do something to get rid of dual nationals who hold key positions in Pakistan. Do something about it or accept the reality and maintain silence.
Well, now that the access to the supply route has been promised by Pakistanis, they get the invitation. Just goes on to say that Pakistan cannot afford to alienate itself. After useless posturing and chest thumping, it's back to bending over backward to accommodate the donor boss. Cheers!
So at Bonn, they begged us to come and we said no; at Chicago they threatened to not invite us and we begged them to?
@naeem hussain: How about the many military and paramilitary personel killed on a daily basis by our "strategic assests", no apology from there either!
We cried & cried & finally got the invitation! What a shameless people we are. No Ghairat, no Imaan. Are we really Muslims? Every nation has honour which is respected by others. We are the only country in the world which begs for respect as well as money. This is why no country respect us (Muslim as well as non Muslims).
I have read similar statements before --- this time I will wait until the NATO spokesman announces it.
That's good! This is pragmatism, this is what 'Realpolitik' is all about----- good decision by those who wish our participation and us for our responsibility for a safer neighbourhood for our own good as well as others in the region. I as a Pakistani citizen support my government and don't give a damn to those 'ex-pakistanis' who have traded their Pakistaniness for something else and now wish to give us lectures on patriotism and nationalism.
What a trade-off ! Lives of 26 soldiers for an invitation to amrika bahadur's palace. Will the leadership of DPC and Imran Con accompany the president ?
NATO shows magnanimity and grace towards a minor player when said player plays by their rules.
I guess I was wrong all this time in assuming that Pakistan would not be invited. I feel so stupid now!!! Pakistan Zindabad and please accept my apology!!!
Well, better sense has prevailed. . I am sure that President Zardari has the full support of COAS Gen. Kiyani . Cheers
What about our 26 innocent soldiers killed by terrorist America.
Pakistan will be served humble pie on a separately designated table at the Chicago party!!
Yesterday America said that Pakistan and India will not be invited in Chicago conference now suddenly why they changed their minds?
Oh my God, Oh My god.. we are so excited...!!!! ET most of all... Look at the headline :->
Army pulls the strings, Zardari takes the blame, alls well that ends well.
Aaaaaa, so official invitation to our SO CALLED LEADERS to bid our BLOOD... Jeeyay BHUTTOO
Wow! You got invited to the rich guy's party! Aren't you at the top of your little world? Shame on the powers to be that they waited this long for a decision everyone knew they'd have to make eventually, and by powers I don't mean PPP.