NATO urges Pakistan to reopen supply route

NATO leaders on Monday called on Pakistan to reopen a key supply route into Afghanistan “as soon as possible” after talks with Islamabad on the border crossing faltered. In a declaration at a summit in Chicago, the alliance expressed appreciation to Russia and Central Asian governments for allowing supply convoys through their territory and said “NATO continues to work with Pakistan to reopen the ground lines of communication as soon as possible.” “The countries in the region, particularly Pakistan, have important roles in ensuring enduring peace, stability and security in Afghanistan and in facilitating the completion of the transition process,” the declaration said. “We stand ready to continue dialogue and practical cooperation with relevant regional actors in this regard,” it added. Islamabad shut its border to NATO supplies in November after a botched US air raid that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead. To ferry troops, food and equipment into Afghanistan, the US-led force in Afghanistan has relied on cargo flights and a more costly northern route network that passes through Russia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. But the Pakistani routes are crucial for NATO’s planned withdrawal of 130,000 troops by the end of 2014 — including a vast fleet of vehicles and equipment. US and Pakistani officials had predicted an agreement would be reached by the time NATO gathered in Chicago, but the negotiations became deadlocked over Islamabad’s demand to charge steep fees for NATO trucks heading to Afghanistan.