ISLAMABAD, (SANA): A copy of the draft of the Memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Pakistan and the US regarding the NATO supply route has been received to media on Thursday.

The draft says that the transport of any type of nuclear weapons, anti-tank weapons, mortars, grenade launchers, guns, bombs, laser weapons, fighter plane and helicopters, chemical, biological and uranium weapons would not be allowed to be transported or there would be a ban on them. MoU has been prepared according to the UN charter.

MOU says that military equipment and accessories for enhancing the performance of Afghan National Security Forces would be allowed to be transported.

Transport of non-lethal cargo which includes food and medicine will be allowed in containers measuring 20 by 40 feet.

Two routes will be used by containers carrying NATO supplies. Containers on the southern route will travel to Afghanistan from Karachi (Bin Qasim Port) via Chaman. On the Northern route, containers will travel from Karachi (Bin Qasim Port) via Torkham to Afghanistan.

The MoU further states that there will be no warehouses or storage facilities provided for American goods and no new objection certificates (NOCs) will be required for the transit. Pakistan will also be allowed to stop the transit of goods which fall outside the parameters of the MOU.

Pakistan will also provide facilities for the security and quick transfer of the cargo and will keep the US government informed about the monitoring and transit points of the cargo. Containers traveling to Afghanistan would be bound to return via Pakistan.

There will be no tax or duty charged on the containers, however commercial carriers will have to pay fees. New fees can also be introduced for the quick transfer of cargo.

Pakistan’s Defence Ministry will act as a central coordination authority and review the daily operations and implementation of the supply route.

Officials from both countries will meet once every two months to evaluate the implementation of the MOU and warehouses would not be allowed to be established in Pakistan.

According to the draft, any misunderstanding will be cleared through mutual understanding and not a third party. It is clearly written in the draft that commercial carriers will be responsible for any damage to the goods.

The MOU will be applicable after it is signed by both countries and will be valid till 31 December 2015 and could be extended for one year after consultations. Both the countries will also have to inform each other in writing if they want to discontinue the MoU.
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Media receives copy of MoU prepared for reopening of NATO supply