PAKISTAN TO ASK US TO VACATE AIR BASE

PAKISTAN TO ASK US TO VACATE AIR BASE

Pakistan will ask the US to stop using one of its key air base after a NATO air raid on one of the country's border checkposts left at least 25 soldiers dead, the government said.An emergency meeting of the cabinet defence committee Saturday night, chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, also decided to close with immediate effect the NATO's supply lines through the country.The US will be asked to vacate the air base in Balochistan province within 15 days, Xinhua reported quoting an official statement.The cabinet committee 'strongly condemns the attack by NATO and ISAF aircraft which resulted in the loss of precious lives of officers and men of Pakistan Army,' it said.

The meeting was called to review the situation following the raid in Mohmand Agency. Besides federal ministers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee also attended. The government also plans to review all engagements, including military and intelligence, with the US, NATO and the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force), the statement from the prime minister's office said.At least 25 Pakistani soldiers were killed early Saturday when NATO helicopters from Afghanistan attacked a border checkpost, leading to Islamabad lodging a strong protest with Washington. Fifteen others were injured in the attack.

                                                                Prof. John Kurakar