ISAF Commander in Afghanistan General John Allen is going to Islamabad today. He is meeting top military and civilian officials including Pakistan Army Chief General AshfaqPervaizKayani.

The top US commander will discuss resumption of NATO supply routes from Pakistan, which has been closed since last November after the ISAF airstrike that killed dozens of Pakistani soldiers. He will also discuss recent militant attacks by Haqqani Network in Kabul and other provinces. Recently after the Taliban attack onQargha lakeside resort that killed 17 civilians, General Allen had said it bore signature of the Haqqani Network based in Waziristan.

The US and Pakistani military and civilian officials have had several rounds of talks on restoration of NATO supply routes, but all to no avail. Earlier in the beginning of this month, senior officials of the Government of Pakistan People's Party including President Zardari talking to media said the supply will resume soon, but the expectations were not fulfilled and the deadlock continued.

Officials on both sides had come close to complete the deal before Chicago Summit, but once again the leaders could not get on terms with one another and the problem remained unresolved.

Another sticking point is the Pakistani demand that the US must stop the drone attacks and officially apologize in public for the airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Though US officials have repeatedly expressed regret and condolences, the Pentagon says that its investigation about the incident show that mistakes were made from both sides. Investigation by the Pakistani military put all blame on ISAF.

However, it still remains unclear whether sticking point in the deadlock is the substantial increase of price-per-truck by Pakistan, or Islamabad's demand of a public apology by the US. Recently Pakistani Foreign Minister HinaRabbaniKharsaid Pakistan is not in a price-gouging debate and the reports are incorrect. But US officials had mentioned they are not ready to pay a price five times higher than before.

Both sides need to compromise on the issue and end the deadlock resuming NATO's supply. It would be unrealistic if increased tax tariffs by Pakistan make the prices similar to the route of Northern Distribution Network through Central Asian countries. The US leaders including President Obama have officially expressed regrets over the killing of Pakistani soldiers and this deadlock must be over.

General Allen should also raise the issue of border tensions with Pakistan. Thirteen Pakistani soldiers were killed and beheaded yesterday by Pakistani Taliban. Pakistani military says the militants had crossed the border in Afghanistan and attacked Pakistani soldiers. Afghan officials deny the claims that militants of Mullah Fazlullah are based in Kunar and Nuristan and organizing attacks on Pakistani soldiers.

ISAF has neither denied nor confirmed presence of Pakistani Taliban militants in Nuristan and Kunar. They should be clear on it and launch operation if Mullah Radio and his militants are using Afghan soil to launch attacks against Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan has lodged strong protests with ISAF and officials of the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad. It is likely that General Kayani would raise the issue in meeting with General Allen today.

Both military commanders should make a breakthrough in the negotiations deadlock about resumption of NATO supply lines. Counter-accusations and statements by both sides blaming safe havens of militants do not help border security. Pakistani has always depicted its reservations regarding US demands of military operation against the Haqqani Network.

Pakistan also needs to provide with evidence if Pakistani Taliban militants have safe havens in Nuristan and Kunar. In that case, ISAF should launch military operations and TTP militants should be targeted. Afghan Army has launched operations in Nuristan and Kunar recently and militants have been targeted. The alleged cross-border attacks and counter-accusations are not helpful for both sides.