Pakistan invites key Afghan leaders from political groupings drawn from the former Northern Alliance; A new agreement on NATO supplies signed between Pakistan and the US; US Commander General Allen meets Army Chief Kayani
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  • According to reports, Pakistan has invited key Afghan leaders from political groupings drawn from the former Northern Alliance to visit the country. These include Uzbek and Tajik political leaders. According to Diplomatic and security officials, a delegation comprising non-Pakhtun leaders, including Afghan National Front chief Ahmed Zia Massoud, may travel to Pakistan soon. Afghan National Coalition’s Mohamed Yonus Qanooni and around a dozen other Uzbek and Tajik leaders from the northern parts of war-torn Afghanistan will also be among those expected in Islamabad. Officials said these leaders might accompany Salahuddin Rabbani, an ethinc Tajik. 1

    Meanwhile, in a significant development, according to reports, a new agreement on NATO supplies has been signed between Pakistan and the US on July 31, 2012, replacing the existing Memorandum of Understanding in place since 2004.

    The new deal was part of an overall review Pakistan had sought in its ties with the US in the wake of last year’s NATO cross-border raid which killed 24 soldiers, consequently causing the suspension of the ground lines of communication for NATO-led foreign forces in Afghanistan for over seven months. According to the new accord, Pakistan will not allow transportation of arms and ammunition, as demanded by the parliament in its foreign policy recommendations approved in April this year. However, military equipment for the Afghan National Army would be permitted to pass through the country. Pakistan will also not provide any warehouses or storage facilities for NATO goods. 2

    In other developments, reports noted that the US commander in Afghanistan visited GHQ to hold talks in Pakistan on August 2, 2012 for the first time since Islamabad ended a seven-month blockade on NATO supplies destined for the 10-year war effort. The agenda of the meeting was focused on improving security along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. During the talks, General Kayani discussed Pak-US relationship and emphasised that their relationship should be based on “mutual trust, respect and transparency”. Gen Allen reciprocated with similar sentiments and said that he enjoyed his trips to Pakistan and is “pleased with the upward spiral of Pak-US relationship”. 3

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