Afghan Unrest Idles Pakistani Truckers Supplying NATO

Attacks on Khyber Pass route have drivers demanding a pay increase

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2008 12:45 PM CST

(Newser) – Last week’s attacks on American supply lines have Pakistani truck drivers refusing to drive into Afghanistan to resupply NATO troops, the Times of London reports. The route through the Khyber Pass was scheduled to reopen today, but the truckers union is holding out for a significant bump in pay. "They're on strike," said a Pakistani trucking company rep. "It could last a month, or it could last a day."

Militants destroyed 260 vehicles on the route across 2 days last week. NATO and the US military claim the attacks are militarily insignificant, but analysts say a long stoppage could affect operations. NATO is also considering opening new supply lines through Russia and Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan. The 67,000 international troops posted to Afghanistan rely on the trucking routes for more than two-thirds of their supplies.

A Pakistani police officer stands guard next to vehicles loaded with supplies for U.S. and allied forces at the Pakistani border town of Chaman along Afghanistan on Sunday. Dec. 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Shah Khalid)

A man looks at Afghanistan-bound vehicles gutted by alleged militants on the outskirts of Peshawar, Pakistan on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/Mohammad Iqbal)

A Pakistani man is seen standing next to burnt trucks for U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan after an attack by militants on the outskirts of Peshawar, the main city in the region that borders the... (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

A Pakistani police officer is seen standing next to burnt trucks for U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan after an attack by militants on the outskirts of Peshawar, the main city in the region that borders... (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

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Afghan Unrest Idles Pakistani Truckers Supplying NATO

Attacks on Khyber Pass route have drivers demanding a pay increase

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Afghan Unrest Idles Pakistani Truckers Supplying NATO

Attacks on Khyber Pass route have drivers demanding a pay increase

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • NATO • Pakistan • Kazakhstan • truckers • Afghan border • supply chain

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

US, Afghanistan, Taliban: Secret Talks Under Way

Hamid Karzai is in Pakistan today to discuss negotiations

Panetta: US Combat Role in Afghanistan Over in 2013

But American, NATO troops will still have 'robust' advisory role

Backed By Pakistan, Taliban Set to Retake Afghanistan

ISI providing direct assistance, says secret NATO report viewed by the BBC

Sarkozy Wants Out of Afghanistan Next Year

France will withdraw combat troops by the end of 2013

Report Blames US in Deadly Pakistan Strike

Report blames lack of trust, mistakes for killing of 24 Pakistanis

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