Crucial DCC meeting today

Military and civilian leadership on Monday took up issues of re-opening of Nato supply route, ongoing new Pakistan-US dialogue and the meeting of Tripartite Commission, it is learnt. According to sources, a high-level meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari at Presidency on Monday focused on Pakistan-US relations and the re-opening of Nato supply route.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Defence Minister, DG ISI Lieutenant General Zaheer-ul-Islam, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Finance Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, Foreign Minister, Senator Rehman Malik, Interior Minister, Finance Secretary Wajid Rana, Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and Spokesperson for the President Senator Farhatullah Babar attended the meeting.
The sources said that military and civilian leadership agreed to re-open Nato supply routes to Afghanistan. However, final decision would be taken at a meeting of Defence Committee of Cabinet (DCC), which would be held today (Tuesday). The meeting discussed in detail the ongoing bilateral talks between Pakistan and the US and recently held 35th meeting of the 'Tripartite Commission' between military authorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Sunday at the GHQ.
The sources said that if the DCC decided to re-open Nato supplies then there would be more chances for Pakistan to participate in the vital Nato Summit on future of Afghanistan to be held in Chicago on May 20-21. However, such a decision is likely to expose the government to domestic backlash given bitter anti-American sentiments in the country. The sources said the US was continuously pressurising Pakistan to re-open Nato supply.
The sources said now the US is ready to apologise for the killing of 24 soldiers for re-opening of Nato supply. The sources said that leadership has also decided that Nato supply route would be restored after imposition of a tax on each container transporting goods for Nato forces in Afghanistan.
However, Pakistan is also facing economic difficulties towards Budget 2012-13. In this regard, the country would need Coalition Support Fund from the US for budgetary support. According to handout, Prime Minister briefed the President about his visit to the UK and his meetings with British dignitaries and other engagements during the visit. The President congratulated the Prime Minister for his successful and fruitful visit that would greatly help to further strengthen Enhanced Strategic Dialogue and partnership with the UK.