The US is also engaged in talks with Kabul for a security

pact that will allow the presence of some troops in Afghanistan after the NATO withdrawal. The US currently has over 60,000 troops in the nearly 150,000-strong International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. NATO will use Pakistani routes up to the end of 2015, a year beyond the deadline for withdrawing combat forces from Afghanistan. The US favours the use of the Pakistani route as it is cheaper and shorter than other routes through Central Asian states. Sources said Peter Lavoy, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, had discussed the withdrawal of US military equipment during a recent visit to Pakistan.