Pakistan May Face Sanctions If NATO Supplies Not Restored

Islamabad, May 8, IRNA – Pakistan Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, has said the country can face international sanctions if supply line for NATO forces was not reopened. Pakistan had closed land route for foreign forces in Afghanistan over a NATO airstrike on two border posts which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The U.S. and its NATO allies are asking Islamabad to reopen the supply line but no decision has yet been taken despite series of talks. Islamic groups are demanding the government not to restore supplies for NATO forces. “If we do not give right of way to NATO, we can face international restrictions,' the Pakistan defence minister told a a press conference in the city of Lahore. Mukhtar said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) has not approved the resumption of NATO supply routes, the government should review the decision for the benefit of the country. Commenting on Pakistan-US relations, the defence minister said that negotiations between the two countries are done in accordance with public sentiment. He further said that rumours regarding conflict between the government and the Pakistan Army are incorrect and that both the stakeholders are on the same page. He termed dispute over Siachen with India as a battle of egos and said that after losing so many soldiers on the world’s highest battleground, it has become a very difficult issue to solve. He said it would a difficult decision for Pakistan to pull out of Siachen. 'It is an ego issue. If we pull out, families of those killed in Siachen will raise questions,' he added. When asked about Pakistan-US defense deals, he said Pakistan had asked the U.S. for joint and coordinated drone attacks but Washington refused./end