Pakistan is mulling to join Nato forces, engaged in Afghanistan, by associating its regular army officers in the name of Liaison Officers for which formal talks are expected shortly, sources told Business Recorder.
They said that the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Joint Staff Headquarters (JSHQ) of Pakistan Armed Forces were discussing the proposal for some time but now it has been formally submitted before the last caretaker Federal Cabinet for clearance.
They said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate have already cleared the proposal, whereas Law Ministry had vetted it.
However, it is not known how many Pakistan army officers are expected to assist the Nato forces in Afghanistan. It is also not known as to what would be the political implications when Pakistani military officers become part of Nato forces in Afghanistan who are fighting against al Qaida and Taliban forces.
However, it is understood that the JHQ would ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to provide liaison officers with pay and allowances in accordance with the rules and regulations of the GoP.
Sources said that Pakistani officer would assist in matters pertaining to cross-border issues and liaise on intelligence matters related to operational activities. They added that the best locations to host Pakistan's Liaison cell are within ISAF facilities in Kandahar, Bagram and ISAF Headquarters as this would provide ready access to infrastructure and liaison cell support.
Sources said that Pakistani army officers would be led by a senior officer (rank not known) as Senior National Representative (SNR) where more than one regular officers from a nation were deployed to Afghanistan. The officer holding highest rank would be designated SNR. He would have military command over all subordinates from his country's armed forces.
Both the JSHQ and the ISAF would formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), according to which Pakistani military men would be assigned mutually agreed Nato facilities, sources added. They said that Nato forces would extend facilities to Pakistani officers like transportation by military aircraft between Kandahar, Baghram and Kabul and Islamabad based on aircraft availability and scheduling.
Sources further said that the liaison officers would be employed as specialist advisors to the local command or members of the tripartite Joint Intelligence and Operation Centre (JIOC) in Kabul, and added that they would also be authorised to interact with all branches and divisions as necessary to achieve assigned tasks, subject to agreed security access.
The senior liaison officer would be granted direct access to Nato's Chief of Staff to whom he may present his nation's standpoint. Sources said that Nato forces would ensure that the liaison officers are escorted at all times when visiting ISAF classified areas. In accordance with the Nato funding principle that nations absorb any and all costs associated with the participation in the operation (costs lie where they fall) and with the revised funding arrangements for ISAF, Pakistan would be responsible for all costs, except where specified in the proposed MoU.