No decision on NATO route yet, despite U.S. container crossing border: Rehman Malik

Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik has clarified that the recent cross over of a few containers carrying items for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, from Pakistan into Afghanistan, took place under the Transit Trade Agreement between the two countries, and does not indicate the reopening of NATO supply routes.

Malik said negotiations, on the guidelines proscribed by the Parliamentary review, are still underway, and no decision has been taken yet to reopen the supply routes, reports The Express Tribune.

The brief opening of the land routes was earlier being seen as a prelude to the eventual resumption of supplies for the Western forces in Afghanistan.

However, a Foreign Office official had already clarified that the 'diplomatic courier' had no linkage with the NATO supply routes, but acknowledged that it was a sign of easing of tensions between the two countries.

"I can't give you the exact number but a lot more will go to Afghanistan in coming days. These all are diplomatic shipments - I mean non- NATO supplies," he said. (ANI)