Pak denies allowing transit route to Indian supply trucks
By ANISaturday, December 26, 2009
ISLAMABAD - Notwithstanding US pressure, Pakistan has denied allowing Indian goods to pass through its territory to Afghanistan.
According to The Nation, Pakistan has strongly opposed to the US proposal of granting transit facility to the Indian trucks to Afghanistan through its soil.
“Washington has swallowed the bitter pill and given up its moves to get land route transit facility for India through Pakistan,” a senior government official, who is privy to the issue, said.
Insiders said Pakistani authorities rebuffed the demands by pointing out towards India’s alleged involvement in terror activities in Balochistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) through Afghanistan.
However, Pakistan has agreed to allow Afghanistan more than 60 trucks a month for transporting of its goods up to the Wagah border.
Sources said both Pakistan and Afghanistan have also agreed to maintain a track of the supply trucks through an electronic tracking system.
The drivers of these vehicles would be responsible for the ultimate delivery of the goods in transit while Afghan goods arriving at Pakistani seaports will have to reach Afghanistanithin 30 days after their clearance, they added. (ANI)