Kaira confirms reopening of NATO supply route

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Karia said Tuesday that the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) had made a decision to reopen the NATO supply route.

Speaking to the media following the DCC meeting, Kaira said it was in Pakistan’s interest to facilitate US, NATO and ISAF forces in the transition process and in view of the larger interest of peace in Afghanistan and the region.

Kaira added that Pakistan would not charge any transit fees and would allow lethal cargo for Afghan security forces for the purpose of maintaining peace and stability. “The issue was not of financial gains but of sovereignty.”

The information minister said that future relations with the US would be based on mutual interest and respect and the DCC would continue to be guided by parliament’s recommendations. “We have been assured that incidents such as Salala will not happen again.”

According to Kaira the DCC had reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the elimination of terrorism and the country’s stance on drones. “We will continue engage the US in counter terrorism cooperation and tools in line with international law,” Kaira added.