PPP to go for majority vote over resumption of NATO supplies if no consensus in Parliament

Islamabad, Apr 11 (ANI): Pakistan's ruling party, PPP, and its allied partners have decided in principle to go ahead with efforts to get a redrafted resolution on resumption of NATO supplies passed with a majority vote in case they fail in evolving a consensus among all political parties.

The PPP-led ruling alliance, following an in-depth analysis in the light of recent diplomatic engagements between Pakistan and the US, has decided to opt for a framework agreement that the entire NATO supplies would pass through Pakistan on payment of toll tax.

According to The Nation, sources close to the matter revealed that the National Logistic Cell (NLC) would be assigned the task to ensure safe transportation of NATO goods to and from Afghanistan.

Sources claimed that US President Barack Obama's administration had shown its inclination to accepting this demand largely because of its plans to draw down troops and equipment from Afghanistan by 2014 as well as to save hefty amounts on the payments the United States was making by using other costly routes.

According to some reports, political parties in Pakistan are willing to allow for the resumption of NATO supplies through the country, if US drone strikes are brought to a halt.

The sources, however, revealed that the US was not ready to give up its weapon of choice, but could agree to reduce frequency of the drone hits by sharing intelligence with Pakistan to hit the high-profile targets, the paper said.

NATO supplies have remained closed since a US drone strike on November 26 that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at the Salala check post. (ANI)