Since the decision made by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) to lift Nato blockade on last Tuesday, no single Nato consignment has so far been released from any port mainly due to demurrage and security issues.
According to sources, not a single consignment of Nato supplies has so far been released as the issues related to consignment scanning and demurrage are still unresolved. Sources added that only those Nato consignments are allowed to cross Pakistani borders that were released from ports but struck transit due to ban in retaliation against Nato air strike at Salala border post in November that claimed lives of 24 Pakistani troops.
The sources said after the announcement made by the Pakistani government to reopen ground lines of communication to the US-led Nato forces, Pakistan customs has taken all security agencies on board to evolve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for scanning Nato consignments to avoid security issues.
They said the customs officials, who earlier used to examine containers' numbers and its seal as per the directives of high authorities, have now been empowered to scan all Nato consignments with a view to forestalling supply of lethal weapons.
Moreover, the sources said around 2800 Nato containers were grounded at Qasim International Container Terminal (QICT) while some 6500 containers were parked at Karachi International Container Terminal (KICT) and Pakistan Container Terminal (PICT).
They said the customs is going to start scanning of Nato consignments at all terminals from Monday. For the purpose, all security agencies are now invited to monitor scanning of Nato cargoes to rule out the possibility of supply of lethal items, they maintained.
Meanwhile, the custom agents are of the view that Nato containers could not be released from ports even after the examination of these consignments was completed as clearing agents are unable to pay heavy demurrage and containers' rent, which amounts to around Rs 1.2 billion approximately.