NATO supply-line blockade increases cost six times

After Pakistan closed the two key border crossings used to supply NATO troops in Afghanistan, the U.S. is bearing six times more expenditures for sending war supplies to allied forces battling in the region.

Almost a couple of months ago, Pakistan took stern action, closing the supply line, after a NATO airstrike killed at least 24 troops at Salala check post, in Mohmend Agency, on November 26, 2011.

According to reports, the cost of moving supplies into Afghanistan is now $104 million a month, which is $87 million more than when the freight went through Pakistan. The cost estimate includes the added costs of the combined ground and air movements being used to offset the closed borders.

The 512 per cent raise in monthly costs resulted after Pakistan shut down its border crossings at Torkham and Chaman.

The report quoting US officials said that costs were not likely to decrease in the near future, since US-Pakistan relations remain tense.

At the same time, the officials have claimed that the closure of the border crossings had not disturbed military operations of the allied forces inside Afghanistan. However, rerouting those supplies has proven much pricey.

Another official was of the opinion that the added costs came from the diversion of supplies originally planned to go through Pakistan that now arrive by ship in other countries in the region for eventual air transport into Afghanistan.

For instance, there is the added cost in diverting some cargo from Pakistani ports to Indian ports where the supplies are either flown into Afghanistan or transported northward by train for delivery through one of the NDN routes.

Some media reports claimed that Pakistan was expected to resume supply line after it re-fixes its terms of condition with the United States. However, Pakistan has not formally indicated that it will reopen the borders any time soon.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit described as speculative reports that Islamabad has decided to open its land route for allied forces in Afghanistan.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=9918

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jan 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, USA, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.