Pakistan allows NATO to ship food to Afghanistan

ISLAMBAD -- Pakistan's defense minister says the government has temporarily allowed NATO to ship perishable food items to its troops in Afghanistan.

It is the first time Pakistan has allowed NATO supplies to cross into Afghanistan since it closed its border to the coalition in November in retaliation for American airstrikes that accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Pakistan Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said Tuesday that the government would only allow NATO to ship perishable items for a limited time. He did not indicate when the approval was given.

The announcement indicates thawing tensions between the U.S. and Pakistan.

Several senior Pakistani officials have said recently that Pakistan should reopen the border to NATO after negotiating higher fees.