Restoration of NATO supplies won't stop drone attacks, say Pak analysts

Islamabad, May 17 (ANI): Pakistani analysts have said although the restoration of NATO supplies would not help in stopping drone attacks in the country, the U.S. has got the message to be careful when striking in future.

"The suspension was an irritant for Pakistan, the U.S. and NATO. However, the restoration of NATO supplies would never mean that differences are ended. There are still areas that could create bitterness between the US and Pakistan in future," the Daily Times quoted Lt Gen (r) Talat Masood, as saying.

However, the six-month suspension of supplies was a message to the U.S. to be careful in future, he added.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had recently said the NATO supply routes could not be kept blocked indefinitely and the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) had asked all stakeholders to conclude talks on restoration of the supplies, indicating reopening the NATO routes.

Former Pakistani ambassador to Afghanistan Rustam Shah Mohmand said Islamabad's relations with Washington and NATO were smooth.

"In fact the closure of NATO supply line never affected the coalition forces in Afghanistan as they had enough stock for few months for their survival," he said.

"And the U.S. and NATO are different entities. The logistic cost affects the U.S. and not NATO," he said.

Some other analysts maintained that the U.S. has been putting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan for reopening of the supply routes, which were was closed after a NATO attack killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in Salala last November. (ANI)