Pakistani PM: Blockade Likely to Last Weeks

December 12, 2011

VOA News

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has told the BBC his country will likely continue to block NATO convoys into Afghanistan for several more weeks.

The supply routes were shut down following a November 26 NATO airstrike in Pakistan that killed 24 Pakistani troops.

Gilani also did not rule out closing Pakistan's airspace to the U.S. in his interview with the BBC.

Gilani said there is a "credibility gap" between the U.S. and Pakistan. He said the two countries have to improve their relationship and have "more confidence in each other."

The prime minister also denied a claim that the government is engaged in peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban. However, he said anyone who denounces violence is "acceptable to us."

Late Sunday, gunmen attacked NATO oil tankers in southwest Pakistan, killing one person and setting seven tankers ablaze.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.