May 20, 2012

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari would announce at Nato Summit conference in Chicago the resumption of the Nato Supply Line in the near future.

There will, however, neither be any demand for an apology on Salala massacre nor a call for immediate halting of drone attacks before or after the resumption of Nato supply line by the president.

A key Presidency source confided to The News that in his speech the president would express his delight to announce his governmentís decision to conclude the ongoing negotiations for the resumption of Nato Supply Line.

The source said that President Zardari would also explain that a MoU on new terms of engagements between Pakistan and US-led Nato Isaf would be finalized soon for the smooth transit of the Nato supplies to Afghanistan.

Zardari would refer to the parliamentary resolution in regard to the need for reviewed term of engagements but, the source insisted that he would neither seek apology on Salala massacre nor would talk about the immediate stoppage of drone attacks.

While the parliament unanimously demanded immediate halt to the drone attacks and sought negotiated solution of Afghanistan problem but President Zardari would convey his governmentís commitment to the US and other Nato partners that Islamabad would continue its fight against terrorism and extremism. Instead, he would assure the Nato leadership that Pakistan would continue hunting the so-called al-Qaeda members hiding in Pakistan.

While the president would repeatedly refer to the parliamentary resolution on guidelines for terms of engagements with USA/Nato/Isaf, according to the source, there would be no mention of the following provisions of the same resolution:

1. The Government needs to ensure that the principles of an independent foreign policy must be grounded in strict adherence to the Principles of Policy as stated in Article 40 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the UN Charter and observance of international law. The US footprint in Pakistan must be reviewed. This means (i) an immediate cessation of drone attacks inside the territorial borders of Pakistan, (ii) the cessation of infiltration into Pakistani territory on any pretext, including hot pursuit; (iii) Pakistani territory including its air space shall not be used for transportation of arms and ammunition to Afghanistan.

2. The condemnable and unprovoked Nato/Isaf attack resulting in the martyrdom (shahadat) of 24 Pakistani soldiers represents a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistanís sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Government of Pakistan should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident dated 25thñ26th November, 2011, in Mohmand Agency. In addition the following measures be taken; i) Those held responsible for the Mohmand Agency attack should be brought to justice. ii) Pakistan should be given assurances that such attacks or any other acts impinging on Pakistanís sovereignty will not recur.

3. The international community should recognize Pakistanís colossal human and economic losses and continued suffering due to the war on terror. In the minimum, greater market access of Pakistanís exports to the US, Nato countries and global markets should be actively pursued.

Source