Pakistan Customs started registering Nato fuel tankers ahead of the resumption of full-scale oil supplies to western armies posted in Afghanistan from Karachi, sources told Business Recorder on Sunday.
"About a dozen tankers lined up at the oil terminal in Keamari, after the government made the registrations of all vehicles with Customs compulsory," they said, adding that the first batch of tankers was going to set off for Afghanistan in a few days.
Two tankers crossed the Torkhem border last week as the authorities assessed the situation along violent transit routes in tribal areas, they said.
Unlisted vehicles will be barred from entering oil terminals. "So far, about a dozen tankers have been cleared for filling," they pointed out.
Commenting on the preparedness of tankers, sources said that "all of them are ready" to transport fresh consignments to Afghanistan. "There is no shortage of tankers and owners are eager to enrol their vehicles," they said.
Pakistan transports nearly 50 percent of the total Nato supplies, including cargo, fuel and military vehicles, according to sources.
Key transporters of container cargo and fuel to Afghanistan for Nato forces included Leghari Logistics Limited (LLL), Bilal Logistics, Mengal Brothers, Al Hajj and Spin Zar groups, sources said.
Over 6,000 trucks and tankers are engaged in cross-border supplies for these groups, employing at least 18,000 people, including drivers and their aides.