Pak govt pushes for US agreement
18 May 2012 5:39 AM GMT
Paving the way for ending nearly six-month blockade of NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, the Pakistan government has directed officials to finalise an agreement 'as soon as possible' with the US.
'All institutions have been asked to complete the negotiations as soon as possible. We will move forward through negotiations on the basis of the resolution (adopted by a joint session of parliament for resetting the relationship with the US and NATO),' Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said.
Following a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that discussed ties with the US and the reopening of the supply routes last evening, Kaira told a news conference the government had not set any deadline for concluding negotiations with the American administration.
'The executive authority and all stakeholders will decide the issue. National honour and national interests will be kept in mind while making a decision,' he said.
The cabinet also endorsed President Asif Ali Zardari's participation in a crucial NATO Summit in Chicago next week, he said.
'No conditions have been attached to the invitation for the President to participate in the NATO Summit,' Kaira said in response to a question.
The civil government or the security establishment have not made any assurances to NATO, he added.
The NATO Summit to be held during 20-21 May will focus on the endgame in war-torn Afghanistan.
'World powers may get upset but we will not accept any pressure,' Kaira said, referring to Pakistan's decision to forge ahead with energy projects with Iran despite opposition from the West.
Islamabad has never closed the path of dialogue to resolve issues, he added.
Islamabad has stopped short of saying when the NATO supply lines will reopen but official sources told PTI that President Zardari is expected to make a formal announcement during the summit in Chicago. NATO had on Tuesday extended a last minute invitation to Zardari for the summit. Pakistan shut the NATO supply routes on 26 November after a cross-border air strike by American forces in Afghanistan killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
The two sides were unable to get their ties back on an even keel as Pakistan insisted on an unconditional apology for the air strike.
AMERICAN LAWMAKERS FOR AID CUT-OFF
Prominent American lawmakers have asked the Obama administration to cut off every cent of its aid to Pakistan terming the country a 'black hole' where the US has already 'sunk' a whopping USD 24 billion since 2004.
'In Pakistan, billions of aid has been given to the Pakistanis since then - billions of aid - while they, at the same time, have terrorised their neighbours and repressed their own people; those own people like the Balochs, who are now fighting and struggling for their freedom there,' Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said at a Congressional hearing.
'We should cut Pakistan off of every cent because it's being used for evil purposes, and it's even been used to kill Americans. It's time we face reality, admit our mistakes, and cut our losses and quit supporting failed policies and corrupt dictators,' Rohrabacher said during the hearing at the Middle East and South Asia Sub-committee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
During the hearing, senior Congressman Gary Ackerman accused Pakistan of sponsoring and providing shelter to terrorists.
'Pakistan is like a black hole for American aid. Our tax dollars go in, our diplomats go in (sometimes), our aid professionals go in (sometimes), our hopes go in, our prayers go in. Nothing good comes out,' said Ackerman. 'Since FY 2004, we have sunk USD 24 billion in foreign assistance to Pakistan. It is hard to fathom how so much money can buy so little. Waste at this scale requires not only an oblivious body politic and Congress, but a large cadre of government professionals and a horde of contractors,' he said.
'Pakistan continues to shelter, directly support and sponsor terrorists. Officially acknowledging this indisputable fact might be grossly impolitic; but that doesn't make it less true. American standing in Pakistani public opinion is terrible and getting worse,' he said. Pakistan is a difficult country with a long history of instability and military coups Congressman Robert Turner said.
'All institutions have been asked to complete the negotiations as soon as possible. We will move forward through negotiations on the basis of the resolution (adopted by a joint session of parliament for resetting the relationship with the US and NATO),' Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said.
Following a meeting of the cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani that discussed ties with the US and the reopening of the supply routes last evening, Kaira told a news conference the government had not set any deadline for concluding negotiations with the American administration.
'The executive authority and all stakeholders will decide the issue. National honour and national interests will be kept in mind while making a decision,' he said.
The cabinet also endorsed President Asif Ali Zardari's participation in a crucial NATO Summit in Chicago next week, he said.
'No conditions have been attached to the invitation for the President to participate in the NATO Summit,' Kaira said in response to a question.
The civil government or the security establishment have not made any assurances to NATO, he added.
The NATO Summit to be held during 20-21 May will focus on the endgame in war-torn Afghanistan.
'World powers may get upset but we will not accept any pressure,' Kaira said, referring to Pakistan's decision to forge ahead with energy projects with Iran despite opposition from the West.
Islamabad has never closed the path of dialogue to resolve issues, he added.
Islamabad has stopped short of saying when the NATO supply lines will reopen but official sources told PTI that President Zardari is expected to make a formal announcement during the summit in Chicago. NATO had on Tuesday extended a last minute invitation to Zardari for the summit. Pakistan shut the NATO supply routes on 26 November after a cross-border air strike by American forces in Afghanistan killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
The two sides were unable to get their ties back on an even keel as Pakistan insisted on an unconditional apology for the air strike.
AMERICAN LAWMAKERS FOR AID CUT-OFF
Prominent American lawmakers have asked the Obama administration to cut off every cent of its aid to Pakistan terming the country a 'black hole' where the US has already 'sunk' a whopping USD 24 billion since 2004.
'In Pakistan, billions of aid has been given to the Pakistanis since then - billions of aid - while they, at the same time, have terrorised their neighbours and repressed their own people; those own people like the Balochs, who are now fighting and struggling for their freedom there,' Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said at a Congressional hearing.
'We should cut Pakistan off of every cent because it's being used for evil purposes, and it's even been used to kill Americans. It's time we face reality, admit our mistakes, and cut our losses and quit supporting failed policies and corrupt dictators,' Rohrabacher said during the hearing at the Middle East and South Asia Sub-committee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
During the hearing, senior Congressman Gary Ackerman accused Pakistan of sponsoring and providing shelter to terrorists.
'Pakistan is like a black hole for American aid. Our tax dollars go in, our diplomats go in (sometimes), our aid professionals go in (sometimes), our hopes go in, our prayers go in. Nothing good comes out,' said Ackerman. 'Since FY 2004, we have sunk USD 24 billion in foreign assistance to Pakistan. It is hard to fathom how so much money can buy so little. Waste at this scale requires not only an oblivious body politic and Congress, but a large cadre of government professionals and a horde of contractors,' he said.
'Pakistan continues to shelter, directly support and sponsor terrorists. Officially acknowledging this indisputable fact might be grossly impolitic; but that doesn't make it less true. American standing in Pakistani public opinion is terrible and getting worse,' he said. Pakistan is a difficult country with a long history of instability and military coups Congressman Robert Turner said.
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