Restriction on Nato Supplies could last weeks, says PM Gilani

Restriction on Nato Supplies could last weeks, says PM Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told BBC during an interview on Sunday that the restriction imposed on NATO supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan will remain in place until new ‘rules of engagement’ are agreed with Washington.

The blockade of NATO supplies was ordered as a protest against the NATO air strikes on November 26, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The PM told that the third week of blockade has started and the ban will not be lifted until these rules of engagement
are agreed with US.

The Prime Minister made it clear in the interview that the ban is not a matter of days but week, stressing that there is a reliability gap between the nations.

“We are working together and still we don’t trust each other. I think we have to improve our relationship,” he said.

“We want to set new rules of engagement and cooperation with United States. We have a resolve to fight against terrorism and therefore we want to set new rules of engagement,” Gilani added.

Gilani uttered that the NATO attack on Pakistani soil was pre-planned, an accusation rejected by Washington.

“Apparently yes and still there is an internal inquiry being conducted and we are waiting for the results,” he said. He emphasised that the aim for such an intentional attack remained “a big question mark.”

As a result of the strike, the government officials banned two crossings of US and NATO supplies to Afghanistan. In addition, a 15-day deadline was given to American soldiers to evacuate Shamsi airbase, which is now in control of Pakistani soldiers.

Furthermore, Gilani said that President Asif Ali Zardari is recovering rapidly and will return to his homeland after two weeks. He denied that the President has suffered a stroke and offered his resignation, saying that ‘Rumours are rumours.’

“There was no stroke,” Gilani told BBC World News.

“He is improving and he is now out of ICU and he has been shifted to his room and I think he will take rest for about two weeks,” he added.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=6007

Posted by Mursil Mehmood Butt on Dec 13 2011. Filed under Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry