US set to apologise to Pakistan over deadly NATO attacks to restore 'business as usual'

Islamabad, Mar 20 (ANI): The United States is reportedly all set to render its apology to Pakistan for the November NATO attacks on the Salala checkpost last year that killed 24 soldiers there.

After months of diplomatic squabbling over the matter, a reluctant US has finally come to a decision.

"The apology may come from the highest level and will be offered during or soon after the joint session of Parliament, which is scheduled to open a debate today on new terms of engagement (with the US)," The Express Tribune quoted a senior leader in the PPP-led ruling coalition, as saying.

The senior leader, who attended recent consultations between the country's civilian and military leadership to finalise a strategy for the much-anticipated session of Parliament, said that the US has conveyed to Pakistan's government that it was willing to offer a formal apology over the NATO air raid.

"And it will come from the highest level," he added.

Another official said that the government considered a formal US apology to pacify growing anger within the rank and file of the army in particular and the public in general.

"The US step may be symbolic but the government needs an apology to save its face, so it can get on with business as usual," the official said.

He said the administration of President Barack Obama appears to have now understood Pakistan's position and accepted the fact that "gone are the days when they only dealt with certain individuals". (ANI)