Pakistan reopens NATO supply routes to Afghanistan

Trucks carrying NATO supplies are seen parked at Pakistan’s Torkham border crossing. (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/05/19/241933/pakistan-us-supply-trucks-afghanistan/

Pakistan has allowed four trucks containing office supplies for the US Embassy in Kabul to cross into Afghanistan, which is the first time the supply routes have been opened since Islamabad closed them six months ago.

Pakistani officials, speaking condition of anonymity, said that the four trucks recently crossed Pakistan's Torkham border into Afghanistan, AFP reported on Friday.

"I can confirm that three trucks have gone to Afghanistan and there are also reports about the crossing of the fourth one on Friday," said one of the officials.

Islamabad closed the border crossings used to transfer NATO supplies to landlocked Afghanistan in November 2011, after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in US-led airstrikes on two checkpoints on the Afghan border.

Pakistan has called on the United States to apologize for the November attack, but Washington has refused to do so.

Meanwhile, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has left the country and is traveling to the US at the invitation of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen to attend the May 20-21 NATO summit in Chicago, during which he will discuss future ties with NATO countries.