'Pakistan to allow US military trainers to return'

Washington, Jan 21: Pakistan would allow US military trainers, who were kicked out of the country following the November 26 NATO raid, to return as early as April or May and would also reopen the crucial supply route for the coalition forces based in Afghanistan, according to a media report.

However, the Pentagon was quick to assert that it had not received any indication from Pakistani officials so far in this regard and was waiting for the official report from Islamabad on the issue.

"Pakistan would allow back US military trainers, including Special Forces teams, and a resumption of close cooperation with the CIA in targeting militants who use the Pakistani side of the border as a safe haven and breeding ground for extremism," Fox News reported.

The US trainers could return to Pakistan as early as April or May, the report said "It (Pakistan) would also reopen the Torkham and Chaman border crossings into Afghanistan, which have been closed to NATO supply convoys since the (November 26) attack," it said.

Following the November 26 cross-border attack by NATO in which 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed, Pakistan had closed the supply routes, asked the US to vacate its secret Shamsi air base and ordered American soldiers to leave the country. Pakistani Parliament is currently reviewing its relationship with the US.

PTI