The commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, US General John Allen, is likely to arrive here tomorrow (Wednesday) in a bid to press upon Pakistani authorities to reopen the NATO supply routes, which the government blocked in November in a protest against a NATO strike that killed 24 soldiers.
“General John Allen, ISAF commander, is likely to visit Pakistan on June 27. He will call on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani,” said an ISPR statement. “The interaction will focus on reviewing the progress made in the implementation of the recently-evolved border coordination measures or standing operating procedures,” it said.
However, an official seeking anonymity said the top US military commander in Afghanistan was expected to talk more on the reopening of NATO supplies and various proposals that the two sides were discussing for the purpose.
“We believe that General Allen will speak on an alternative to formal public apology with General Kayani such as reiteration on regret over loss of lives of Pakistani soldiers, which is being dubbed now as a ‘soft apology’,” the official said.
However, he refused to divulge what would Pakistan’s response to the US stance on the apology and its readiness to repeat regret over the air strikes last year be.
He also said General Kayani would raise the vital issue of cross-border militants’ attacks in Dir, which killed several Pakistani soldiers.
UK defence chief: Meanwhile, British Chief of Defence Staff General Sir David Richards called on the army chief at the General Headquarters on Monday.
According to the ISPR, the visiting dignitary was in Pakistan to attend the National Security Dialogue between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The two discussed matters of mutual interest.