ISLAMABAD: Parliament is set to finally reveal new terms of engagement with the United States next week.
The new terms will likely include the re-opening of supply lines to US-led NATO troops in Afghanistan, closed since Nov. 26, but with many new qualifications and restrictions, a prominent opposition lawmaker told Reuters on Saturday.
"Broadly, all the parties agree on this," said Ayaz Amir, an opposition member of the National Assembly who sits on its foreign affairs and defence committees.
"I don't think anyone is in favour of permanently blocking off NATO routes. There will be riders, qualifications, and the military will have a heavy input in this."
The National Security Committee's recommendations are almost certain to be accepted by parliament when they are finally issued later this week, given that it has been working on the new terms for months with heavy input from the military.
President Asif Ali Zardari briefly talked about the alliance as he addressed the opening of a joint session of parliament.
"Pakistan-United States relations are multi-dimensional and important. We seek to engage meaningfully with the US on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect," he said.
"We are looking forward to your recommendations on re-engaging with the United States."
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