Pakistan to prevent lethal weapons through NATO into Afghanistan

Islamabad reopened overland routes to NATO convoys earlier this week after closing them in protest against a US air raid which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at a border post in November last year.

A number of trucks have already crossed into Afghanistan, but the vast majorities are still at the Arabian Sea port of Karachi, where they have languished for the past seven months.
Ties between Washington and Islamabad, fractious allies in the "war on terror", plummeted following the air strike and blockade, which ended after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, apologized for the Pakistani soldiers’ massacre.

The two sides are still rebuilding trust and officials in Karachi, where thousands of trucks and containers have languished during the blockade, said there would be thoroughly check all cargo to ensure the convoys are conformed to Pakistani parliamentary guidelines and the country’ stance against the  the transport of lethal supplies.

"We scanned the containers randomly in the past, but now every container will be duly scanned," Karachi customs department spokesman Qamar Thalho said.

"We can seize any item, anything at all, if it is not mentioned in the agreements between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as Pakistan and NATO."

An official speaking on condition of anonymity said the move was intended to stymie opposition parties and religious groups -- who have criticized the resumption of supplies.

"A strict scanning of the cargo is just one important measure not to give enough space to the opposition to exploit public sentiments," the official said.

Up to 1,500 trucks packed with NATO supplies have been stranded in Karachi during the seven months blockade, unable to unload and find other work.

Rana Mohammad Aslam, vice president of the All Pakistan Goods Carrier Association, said 560,000 rupees ($6,000) compensation per vehicle would be paid to the truck owners by NATO subcontractors.

The land routes into Afghanistan are vital as the United States and NATO are withdrawing troops and equipment built up since the 2001 invasion.

The blockade forced the United States and its allies to rely on longer, more expensive routes through Central Asia, Russia and the Caucasus, costing the US military about $100 million a month, according to the Pentagon.