Pakistan's relations with Nato show signs of thaw

Nato has invited President Asif Ali Zardari to its summit in Chicago, after signs that Pakistan could be moving to reopen its Afghan border to international military supplies.

A spokeswoman for the alliance said Pakistan was being invited to the summit on 20-21 May along with a number of other non-Nato nations, including those that contribute to the Nato-led force.

"This meeting will underline the strong commitment of the international community to the people of Afghanistan and to its future," she said.

The supply route through Pakistan has been closed for nearly six months in retaliation for US air strikes that killed 24 Pakistani troops. This forced Nato to use more expensive routes across Russia and Central Asia.