Kayani's decision to skip Summit aimed at distancing army from reopening NATO routes decision

Islamabad, May 18 (ANI): Amid talks between the U.S. and Pakistan to reopen the NATO supply routes, and confirmation of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's participation in the Chicago Summit, questions have arisen regarding army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's decision not to attend the summit.

In a move believed to be taken by the military to distance itself from the decision to reopen NATO supply routes for U.S-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, General Kayani will not be in attendance at the key summit in Chicago to discuss the future of Afghanistan, sources told The Express Tribune.

General Kayani was believed to have been considering being part of the Pakistani delegation, headed by President Asif Ali Zardari, for the historic gathering of over 60 world leaders.

"General Kayani was considering attending the summit, but he eventually decided against it," an official said, without citing any specific reasons behind General Kayani's decision.

It is believed that his move might be an attempt to dispel the impression that the top military leadership had anything to do with the resumption of NATO supplies.

In an effort to distance itself from the issue, the army has also denied reports that recently held trilateral talks amongst the top military commanders from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States had discussed the reopening of NATO supply routes.

Interestingly, the military's media wing took three days to rebut news stories appearing both in local and international media.

According to officials, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani would accompany President Zardari at the summit.

Pakistani and US officials have been locked in talks to finalise a deal on reopening NATO routes, which were blocked after an U.S. air strike killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last November. (ANI)