Marine Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan gestures during a news conference at the Pentagon, Monday, March 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Marine Gen John Allen, the top US commander in Afghanistan is pictured during a news conference at the Pentagon     — File Photo by AP

VIRGINIA: International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) Commander in Afghanistan General John Allen has said that the Isaf mission was not affected by the closure of Nato supplies however Pakistan’s signs on re-opening of Nato supply are encouraging, DawnNews reported.

Gen Allen said that the indications given by Pakistan's parliament on resumption of Nato supply are welcoming and will have positive affects on the relations between the two countries.

The Isaf chief further said that improved relations with Pakistan would be significantly important to peace in the region.

He added that Pakistan had rendered huge sacrifices in fighting terrorism and the loss of lives that Pakistan suffered collectively in two years far surpassed  the loss of lives that the Isaf suffered in ten years.

In his message, Gen John Allen acclaimed tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces.

Talking about hopes for the region’s future, Allen said he believed in having “conceivably” coordinated operations between Isaf, Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure “a stable, peaceful and secure Afghanistan.”

“My hope is, in the weeks and months ahead, we can leverage all of that opportunity for common ground, both to improve the relationship at a policy level, but certainly to improve the military to military relationship as well,” he said.

The statement came days ahead of the Nato summit in Chicago, which would review military efforts in Afghanistan and take stock of progress towards reconciliation.

Pakistan had blocked the Nato supply line in retaliation for US airstrikes on two military check posts that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November 2011.

The US has so far refused Pakistani demands that it apologize for the attack and stop drone strikes in the country.

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