News
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
Truckers demand security before resumptionISLAMABAD: NATO truckers late on Tuesday welcomed Pakistan’s decision to reopen supply lines into Afghanistan but said they feared Taliban attacks, demanding security guarantees before the resumption. Mir Muhammad Yousaf Shahwani, head of the largest oil tanker owners association in Pakistan, told AFP that supply trucks and tankers could be en route in “days” but insisted they needed protection first. “It is a sudden decision but even then we can start supplies in days. The thing is, who will protect us,” Shahwani said.
“We need security. Taliban have killed dozens of our drivers and torched hundreds of vehicles,” he added. Taliban have carried out dozens of attacks, disrupting supplies for 130,000 US-led international troops fighting in Afghanistan, and have repeatedly warned of more if Pakistan reopened supply routes.
Pakistan closed its Afghan border crossings to NATO convoys on November 26 last year after US air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Pakistan was re-opening the border to NATO supplies and said the United States was “sorry” for the losses suffered by the Pakistani military. Earlier, Pakistan’s new prime minister acknowledged that continuing the seven-month blockade was negatively affecting relations with the US and other NATO member states. afpCourtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk