NATO supply stopped permanently: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday said that the supply of NATO has not been suspended rather it has been stopped permanently. Talking to reporters at National Crisis Management Cell of Ministry of Interior, he strongly condemned the NATO attack on Pakistani forces.

"NATO force should respect feelings of Pakistani nation." He said the nation and the government were aggrieved on the death of 24 officials of Pakistani security forces in the wake of NATO aggression on Salala post in Mohmand Agency. He said the decisions of the Defence Cabinet Committee (DCC) on the NATO forces attack inside Pakistan would be implemented in letter and spirit. "The decisions of the DCC are final and would be implemented," he added.

The minister said that NATO containers, which have been stopped, would not be allowed to cross the Pak-Afghan border. Malik said that the democratic government of Pakistan would not take dictation from anyone.

Referring to security arrangements for Muharram, he said the security arrangements for the month of Muharram have been completed and foolproof security would be ensured across the country to maintain the sanctity of the holy month.

He informed that the Rangers and police have been deployed in sensitive areas of Punjab, while the Army would maintain peace and order in Sindh during Muharram, adding that the Sindh police have been given extra powers to maintain law and order in the province.

Moreover, long queues of NATO supply tankers have been formed on the Torkham and Quetta-Chaman highways as Pakistan closed the crossing points for NATO supplies after helicopter attacks in Mohmand Agency on Saturday.

According to reports, NATO supply containers entering from Punjab were stopped at Nowshera and all clearance points were sealed. After the decision of the Cabinet Committee on Defence, all the routes for NATO supply have been closed for the supply vehicles.

Owners of the containers have been directed to take them to secure points. Hundreds of containers were also parked at the Chaman crossing point and heavy contingents of police and FC have been deployed there for security purposes.

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