The countrywide violent protests against blasphemous movie have brought the supplies of armoured vehicles for Nato forces to a halt because of security threats, harbour sources told Business Recorder on Monday. They said dozens of loaded trucks with military vehicles are parked at Karachi Port's berth No 17, waiting their shipment to Afghanistan through Pakistan land routes.
The supplies of armoured jeeps, trucks and other transports for western combatant forces have ceased due to continued violent protests in Pakistan for the last few days, they said. "The transportation of military vehicles from Karachi port has come to a temporary suspension, they said, adding that dozens of loaded trucks at the country largest harbour are waiting for a nod from authorities to move to Afghanistan.
Sources said the country shipped its first batch of military vehicles for Nato on September 12 this year after several months of ban by Pakistan following Salala incident late last year. Since the anti-Islam protests gripped the country, the government has decided to halt the transportation of military vehicles to the western armies on security fears. The first shipment was made this month to resume all kind of supplies to the Nato armies with 50 armoured vehicles, which were loaded on big trailers and escorted by Rangers.
According to Karachi Port Trust (KPT), there are about 4,000 military vehicles of Nato which are parked at the port's different berths for quite a while. These vehicles are largely military ambulances, bullet proof and armoured jeeps, 10-wheeled big trucks.
Pakistan serves as a chief seaport-country to cater to Afghanistan's supplies through its land routes. The country transports some 50 percent of the total supplies of the Nato including cargo, fuel and military vehicles, according to sources.
The key transporters of container cargo and fuel to Afghanistan for the Nato forces including Laghari Logistics Limited (LLL), Bilal Logistics, Mengal Brothers, Al-Hajj and Spin Zar groups, transport sources said. Over 6000 trucks and tankers are engaged in the cross-border supplies for these groups with at least 18,000 people including drivers and aides. The number of those workers at either side of the border working for loading and discharging of cargo and fuel are additional which also amounts in thousands.