The OP is an Indian journalist, and yes, it DOES matter who is saying what, and when.
Looks like the guy wants to use his WSJ platform to incite violence against Pakistan.
I don't blame him. And I don't even blame WSJ; the former is an Indian--a hawk at that--and the latter wouldn't mind a spicy story about 'foreign affairs'.
Factually, the 'northern supply route' may become 100% effective in bypassing Pakistan but it will be more susceptible to the whims of Russia and its allies. Not to mention, hugely costly. I mean, HUGELY COSTLIER.
Secondly, even if Russia is all peachy about the supplying through its spheres of influence, the GI's will not be any safer at all. Not at all. Pakistan can then do to the Americans--with far more effectiveness--what it did to the Soviets: Simply look the other way as the tribals cross into Afghanistan. Hey, if Americans can't prevent tens of thousands of Mexicans across the border--harmless, poor souls--then so can Pakistan? The terrain is too hard to manage anyway.
PS. I still don't know why are the Americans in that region? Shortly after 9/11, 'security' was the reason. It is still the reason but the counter to that is effective immigration, targeted operations, border patrol. None of these require tens of thousands of GI's in the region. Or may be it is all about some China containment for which Pakistan is unwilling to oblige the Americans. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING?!