Pakistan will only re-open the supply route for the coalition troops in Afghanistan when public anger over Nato incursions eases and security improves, Foreign Ministry spokesman said while talking to some media persons on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the supply route blockage for Nato via Torkham border entered fourth day. "It does not mean that Torkham route is closed. The cross border route is open for every kind of traffic other than oil tankers carrying oil for coalition troops", a local resident told Business Recorder on telephone. A customs official at Nowshera claimed that 70 percent supply to Nato was continuing via Torkham route to Afghanistan, and the rest is via Chaman.
Amid tense situation between US administration and Pakistani authorities, militants on Sunday threatened more attacks on tankers carrying fuel to Afghanistan through Pakistani routes to avenge the incursions.
Foreign Office spokesman said that oil tankers at border were being stopped just because of security reasons. "There's no timeframe when it will be open again. Maybe shortly," he said. As retaliation to repeated incursions by Nato helicopters over the past week, Pakistan blocked the supply route for Nato troops in Afghanistan after one such strike killed three Pakistani soldiers on Thursday in Kurram region.
A joint Pakistani and Nato investigation of the incident has been started. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is schedule to meet the head of Nato on Monday. But the tension between the two sides has yet to ease.
The government thinks that in such a situation, allowing these trucks to carry on with their journey would be inviting more attacks. "So, there's no need to rush," a Defence expert said.
Public anger persists after two more drone strikes on Saturday killed 18 militants.
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