Pak's linking opening of NATO lines to ending drone strikes 'untenable': Editorial

Islamabad, Apr 12(ANI): An editorial in a Pakistan daily has called for de-linking the proposal of ending drone strikes with the re-opening of NATO supply routes that have been shut since the deadly November 26 airstrike, saying that Pakistan-US ties are far too vital to be held hostage by political demagoguery.

The Express Tribune editorial said the much-delayed Pakistan parliamentary review on ties with the US is facing further hurdles due to this unreasonable stance taken by the opposition.

It said all Pakistan parties should evolve a consensus that the re-opening of NATO supply routes should be made conditional to the US paying duties and taxes rather than linking it to the ending of done attacks.

"Their main proposal is to link the transport of NATO supplies through Pakistan to a halt to drone attacks, an unrealistic demand that ignores the multi-layered dynamics of Pakistan-US relations," the editorial said.

It said that the US has not bothered to protect Pakistan's sovereignty, as demonstrated by the May 2 raid that killed former Al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden, and pointed out that the US already has the Pakistan military's permission to conduct drone attacks inside Pakistan's territory.

The editorial also called on Pakistan to improve ties with the US and that the controversial drone strikes have proved effective in targeting militants in the tribal areas that are inaccessible to Pakistan's military. (ANI)