Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar. — Photo by APP

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar said Pakistan should reopen its Afghan border crossings to Nato troop supplies after negotiating a better deal with the coalition.

Pakistan closed the crossings over two months ago in response to American airstrikes that accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Mukhtar said on Tuesday that the government should negotiate new ''terms and conditions'' with Nato and then reopen the border.

He did not provide details. But other Pakistani officials have said the government should levy additional fees on Nato for using the route through the country.

About 30 per cent of non-lethal supplies for US and coalition troops in Afghanistan travelled through Pakistan before the border closed.