Pakistan opens NATO supply route as US apologises

Pakistan on Tuesday night announced to reopen route for NATO supply to Afghanistan after United States apologised for killing of its 24 troops in an attack on Salala check post on November 26, 2011.Briefing newsmen after meeting of Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC), Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira here said DCC decided to open the supply route after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed apology for the incident.The DCC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was attended by key federal ministers and chiefs of armed services.The Minister said Pakistan has welcomed Secretary Clinton’s apology over the Salala issue. “Today the US showed softness in its stance and accepted our principled stance over the issue. We appreciate this decision which is not anyone’s victory or defeat,” Kaira said.He said Pakistan decided to cooperate with NATO with a view to maintain peace and stability in Afghanistan.As was in the past, Pakistan will also not charge transit fee for the supply route, he added.