Resumption of NATO supplies on Independence Day

Some analysts rightly interpreted Pakistan’s decision to resume NATO supply-line as its gift to the United States on its Independence Day.

Islamabad not only restored the supply-line but also granted some crucial concessions to the US on the eve of American National Day.

Interestingly, Islamabad has decided not to impose any extra transit fee on NATO containers. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira while defending it said that it proved that their stance was principled and was bout national dignity and integrity.

In the initial draft of the parliamentary recommendations, there was a demand for adequate compensation of the infrastructure losses caused by extremely heavy NATO trucks.

However, it was left to the discretion of government and other negotiating bodies in the final version which has been grossly misused by those at the helm of affairs.

The appropriate tax on transit route was one of the tricky issues that remained under discussion not only in Pakistan but also in the United States. In the past seven months, both countries held numerous sittings to reach on an agreement regarding travelling charges.

Pakistan was expecting a reasonable levy over the land route for allied forces but unfortunately it has gave up its right, allowing free for all transition of goods. It can be resisted justifiable by almost all segments of the society on two different aspects.

Firstly, the Musharraf-like gallant and liberal approach to use allow use of vital tactical facilities is highly terrible as no individual or group of policy-makers is authorized to barter away national interests fancifully in this way.

Secondly, Pakistan’s communication infrastructure has suffered staggering losses due to transition of NATO supplies and there was every reason to levy charges to recover the losses and improve the infrastructure.

Although the American administration agreed to release $1.18 billion under Coalition Support Fund (CSF), it will be of no use as the country has already managed this cost from its meager capital.

The decision to administer this undue favor is nothing but a lavish gift from a poor country to a powerful and affluent friend on its Independence Day.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=28272

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jul 5 2012. Filed under National, Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.