Pakistan says looking forward to normalisation of ties with US

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today said it is looking forward to the normalisation of ties with the US after the completion of a Parliamentary review on resetting bilateral relations, which plunged to a new low after a NATO strike, but asserted that its sovereignty is not open to negotiation.

The Parliamentary review, which is expected to be completed soon, will lay the foundation for a strong, long-term and predictable relationship with the US, Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a weekly news briefing.

Pakistan remains fully committed to the fight against militancy and terrorism but the country's sovereignty is not open to negotiation, he said in response to questions.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered the Parliamentary review last year after a cross-border NATO air strike on military outposts along the frontier with Afghanistan killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Pakistan also closed all routes used to transport supplies to US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

A joint session of Parliament is set to debate 40 recommendations framed by a Parliamentary panel for resetting Pakistan-US ties, including a US apology for the air strike, an end to American drone strikes and the imposition of a tax before NATO supply routes are reopened.

Basit said the government will follow guidelines framed by Parliament on the issues of the NATO supply routes and US drone strikes.