Updated on
Summary NATO has signed deal with three Asian states allowing it to evacuate equipment from Afghanistan.
NATO has reportedly concluded agreements with Central Asian Republics allowing it to evacuate vehicles and other military equipment from Afghanistan, a move interpreted by American wire agency AP as an attempt to completely bypass Pakistan, which once provided the main supply route for coalition forces. According to NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan had agreed to allow the reverse transport of alliance equipment.Whether or not such an arrangement has actually been finalized or will it work ultimately, one may point out that timing of the move and its disclosure is of particular significance and speaks volumes about tactics and approach of the United States and NATO. This comes at a time when Pakistan and the United States are engaged in talks aimed at restoring suspended NATO supplies, which are reportedly stuck over the issue of transit fee. Pakistan allowed almost free for all passage of goods and equipment for ten longs years at the cost of losses worth billions of dollar to its road infrastructure and that is why the United States is finding it difficult to agree to imposition of reasonable charges to compensate for such damages. We believe that the latest report is just aimed at pressurizing Pakistan on the issue of levy of the proposed tax and Islamabad must not give it any weight. This is because we have been hearing such reports of so-called Northern Distribution Network for many years but Americans know it fully well that the northern route was not only six times more costly but also exposes the military and other hardware to immense security threats both from militants and the Russian Federation. Otherwise too, there should be no worry for us as recommendations of the parliament clearly say that Pakistan will not allow transit of arms and ammunition through its territory and even if NATO has made this arrangement with CARs for reverse transportation, this would be in line with our parliamentary recommendations. As for the issue of restoration of the supply route, the two sides should resolve the issue through dialogue on the basis of sovereign equality. Americans must understand that gone are the days when crucial decisions were made by one man on one phone call from Washington. People of Pakistan, despite being so-called ally of the United States, have already suffered immensely both in terms of human and material losses, and they are prepared to offer more sacrifices to defend their sovereignty and honour.
