Gen John Allen expected to meet Kayani today

By Hadi Aziz Jun 27th, 2012 ( No Comment )

Islamabad: While the deadlock between Islamabad and Washington over the resumption of Nato supplies and cross border attacks from both sides remains persistent, the Pakistan Army and the Western military alliance are actively involved in ‘border coordination’ with International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) Commander General John Allen expected to arrive here on Wednesday (today).

According to military, Isaf Commander General John Allen is likely to visit Pakistan on June 27.

“He will call on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The interaction will focus on reviewing the progress made in the implementation of recently evolved border coordination measures/standing operating procedures,” a statement said.

Despite the latest tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border incursions into the former’s territory from Afghan side, which continued since Friday, the relations between Pakistan’s military and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) are not as stressful as they appear.

The military officials on Monday said the army ‘strongly’ protested with Afghan authorities over the beheading of seven Pakistani soldiers in Lower Dir, but did not mention if any protest was launched with the Nato-led Isaf that is primarily responsible for maintaining security in Kunar and Nuristan provinces. The Isaf had also launched a large-scale military offensive in both the provinces in November last year to take on militants in the region.