Despite criticism from religious parties, Pakistan’s Parliament last month allowed the PPP government to define new terms of engagement with the US and NATO and also allowed the government to restore supplies on the condition that US tenders apology for Salala post attack and stops drone strikes.

America refused to accept both the demands and intensified pressure on Pakistan that further strained relations.

NATO Secretary-General Rasmussen also demanded that Pakistan restore supplies but no immediate breakthrough is expected in the settlement of the differences.

Pakistan indicated it was willing to attend the conference this year unlike last year when it had boycotted the Bonn conference on Afghanistan as a reaction to the unprovoked US attack.

Foreign Office spokesman Moazzam Khan told Arab News that Pakistan is committed to extending all support for a peaceful, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan.

The spokesman admitted there were some issues but that both the countries were trying to have normal friendly relations.

Former Director General of ISI Gen. Hameed Gul, who opposes restoration of NATO supplies, told Arab News that without Pakistan’s participation, NATO summit would be fruitless and the world experienced it during last year’s Bonn conference.

Gul said there can’t be any breakthrough on drones attack issue and since the Americans have refused to budge there is no possibility of restoring NATO supplies.

In his opinion, Pakistan holds the key to foreign troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. “When there is no supply there will be no military bases,” he added.