Pakistan to face economic sanctions if doesn't open NATO routes

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Pakistan's Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said on Sunday that if Pakistan does not open NATO supply routes, it will have to face wrath of the international community. He said that Pakistan will be slapped with the toughest economic sanctions if it does not change its stance over the NATO supply routes. He expressed these views while addressing a press conference in Lahore. Since the NATO forces invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, all logistic and other cargo had been transported through Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Pakistan shut down the NATO supply routes in November last year, when NATO choppers fired on a military check post in Salala. As many as 24 soldiers were killed, while two dozen others sustained critical injuries. Pakistan called the attack "unprovoked" and "unwarranted," while the US came up with the stance that Pakistani soldiers provoked the NATO helicopters to bomb the check post. Also, the United States said that terrorists crossed the border from the check post and attack on the NATO troops based in Afghanistan.
A number of rounds of talks between top officials of both the countries have been held since the tragedy, but the matter still remains unresolved. The US constituted an inquiry committee to ascertain facts behind the attack. The report said that both Pakistan and NATO troops were responsible for the attack. The US wanted to share the responsibility of the attack, but Pakistani officials demanded a full-fledged apology over the tragedy, a demand the US refused, making the matters worse.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on National Security recommended to the parliament that NATO supply routes should be kept closed unless the US tenders official apology over Salala check post attack. The defence minister, however, said that the government should soften its stance over the issue because the international community was pondering to slap economic sanctions over Pakistan if NATO supply routes were not opened at the earliest. The minister, however, said that army and civilian government were on the same page as far as policy towards the US is concerned.
Pakistan is already faced with bad economic situation, as the US has not disbursed the money to the country for Coalition Support Fund and aid under Kerry-Lugar bill. The government is going to present its annual budget on May 25, but is worried over how to cover the budget losses. International Monitory Fund (IMF) and World Bank have already refused to pay any loans to the country for its bad economic condition and poor governance.
The government should take pragmatic steps to avoid sanctions at this crucial time. And also, the US should not go too far, especially at a moment when it is planning to hold dialogue with Taliban and withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

Pakistan to face economic sanctions if doesn't open NATO routes

[Pakistanisage]

Open the Routes but make them pay heavily.

[RaptorRX707]

Pakistan's Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar

This Mukhtar guy only guy gave a great respect to USA and NATO, he is very loyal to Zardari. Just ignored him, and no the supply routes should not be open at least. Stick with it.

[AUz]

Want a more credible source.

Don't open the routes ... Let NATO face the "spring offensive" of Taliban fighters ...

If the push really comes to shove , then open the routes but make them pay heavily!

[Shardul.....the lion]

Want a more credible source.

Don't open the routes ... Let NATO face the "spring offensive" of Taliban fighters ...

If the push really comes to shove , then open the routes but make them pay heavily!

credible source
Sanctions if Nato supplies not restored: Mukhtar | DAWN.COM

[Mr Javed]

we are already facing worst due to this wars, soo let them do that atleast it will clear who is are freind & who is not which help us in our foreign policy.....BTW its strange since last several years NATO supply was totally free from Pakistan no taxes no charges nothing soo lets start the route with heavy taxes on it according to our law

why free service ?

[Black Widow]

I have said it many times, Saying it again.
America don't need Supply route now

Lets analyze the number of troops presence



When Obama came (2009) there were 50,000. Later he increase it to 130,000. When the troop were 130,000, 30% of NATO supplly was coming thru non Pakistani route . If NATO again go back to 2009 status, say 40,000 to 50000 troops. Non Pakistan route can provide adaquate supply.

Now the WoT is almost at end, (After OBL killing in Pakistan).I think NATO can withdraw 70% troop.

America attacked and killed Pakistani soldier purposefully, It served them 2 major point.
1. They gave a signal to Pakistan, we will kill you if you come in our way, we dont care bout supply route.
2. Pakistan can not blackmail NATO any more.

[Omar1984]

The roads and ports in Pakistan belongs to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan only and its up to Islamic Republic of Pakistan which countries the ports and roads should be made accessible to.

U.S. wants to continue killing our Pakistani people inside Pakistan and then it expects to also have access to Pakistan's ports and roads. You can't have it both ways. Stop the drones then maybe Pakistan will open the supply route.

I have said it many times, Saying it again.
America don't need Supply route now

Tell America to stop asking Pakistan for the supply route then.

Do you work for U.S. government or military?

[tvsram1992]

Open the Routes but make them pay heavily.

They are saying open the routes else we will not pay what we will

[jellodragon]

LOL at the source

[Awesome]

Our territory, we can do anything with it. Afghanistan is not a landlocked by Pakistan - go from Iran or go from Russia. Why are you after us?

[nuclearpak]

He said we could be in breach of international law.

Any law expert could shed some light on that? What kind of law is that?

[Awesome]

He said we could be in breach of international law.

Any law expert could shed some light on that? What kind of law is that?

We have not said we don't want to open the supply route at all, we just want an apology.

[Don Jaguar]

LOL at the source

Today this news is the headline of jang (pakistan's most famous news paper).

[tvsram1992]

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Our territory, we can do anything with it. Afghanistan is not a landlocked by Pakistan - go from Iran or go from Russia. Why are you after us?

You serious ? Its only Pakistan that will take soft loans and aids from Pakistan . With out US money your situation would worsen further .