Pakistan closed Nato supply route to Afghanistan in November, choking supply line for the 130,000-strong US-led force, following a deadly air strike by the alliance force that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the border.
Islamabad had rejected the coalition's report that blamed the incident on mistakes by both sides and has not said when it will reopen the route.
"We have an interest...for Afghanistan that relations with Pakistan should normalise as quickly as possible," said Brigadier General Carsten Jacobsen.
"We are aware that there are things that are not travelling to Afghanistan because they are stuck at border control points.
"It mainly affects the economy, wages and work for people who are in the transport business in Pakistan and Afghanistan."
The spokesman for Nato's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) however sought to allay concerns among Afghans that the route blockage would force the coalition to buy locally and force a hike in the price of fuel and food.
"The people of Afghanistan will not be challenged by Nato buying their fuel and their food. Nato's stockpiles are more than sufficient," he said.
A Pakistani official earlier said that Nato military vehicles and supplies were piling up at the docks, with truck drivers unable to drive them to the northwestern border to cross into Afghanistan.
"At present, a total of 3,676 military vehicles and 1,732 containers belonging to Nato forces are at the port," a port official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
It was reported earlier, that the US has decided to export all its cargo, including military hardware and arms, out of Pakistan.
Sources told Express News that the break in supplies has frustrated US authorities to the point where they are now weighing various options to move around the cargo stranded at various locations in Pakistan.
The deadly incident heightened tensions in an already fragile relationship between the US and Pakistan, with Pakistani officials alleging deliberate US targeting of their troops at border posts.
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It must be hurting the NATO and the US now, I hope they have learnt their lesson.
@thughes218: Dear thughes218, You mention all the countries that love America, and I am afraid I disagree with your simplistic assessment. Half of those countries are occupied by U.S./NATO forces, or are dependent upon U.S. rapid response and firepower. Other countries such as Canada and Australia are flunky dependents of the U.S., and although their leaders are too scared to take a poll, they are not necessarily supported by their populations. I have to give it to you though, their does appear to be a pretense of solidarity among the Western bloc, and it is a little puzzling as to why, but not too much so. For example, The U.S./ISRAEL combo start demonizing a particular country and/or its leader (usually Muslim of late) and the Western bloc fall into line, eventually attack that country and walk out leaving it completely ruined. Why is it, do you think, that all the so called Western countries fall into line this way? You may say that it is because the U.S. is being noble, but we know this is not so. It really does seem to be a conspiracy, That is, it appears that decisions are being made somewhere that are not in the best interests of the various countries but their leaders agree anyway. Further to this, the Western mass media are always onside with the leaders and continually produce propaganda to indoctrinate their readers The propaganda is subtle and the ideas it is supporting are gradually inveigled into peoples minds. In my country for example, a leader will suggest that Pakistan needs to lift its game, or Iran is not playing fair, But they do not make those comments about America, Israel, or England. In the case of individual Muslim leaders they might be accused of being brutal, but a Western leader, who has been responsible for many deaths, will be congratulated for being a wise and caring person. I do not know what the answer to all this is, but until the Western bloc come to their senses we will continue to be in for a rough time.
NATO is feeling the pinch....what about those who vehemently asserted that US will get another rout for supply?
The frustration of the ISAF over the standoff is comprehensible. The countdown 2014 is on and there is plenty to be done before the drawdown.
@syed baqar ahsan: Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Very well said truly and exactly based on reality.
@hamzad The flip side of your list of "nations that HATES the US" is the very long list of nations that are friendly, strong allies, and trading partners of the US: UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, S. Korea, Germany, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, etc. Does Pakistan really prefer to be included in the list of countries that "hates" the US vs. allies of the US. BTW, Spain and India don't belong in list of countires that "hates" the US and US does a ton of business with China, so not a "hate" relationship. You might add Cuba to your list and recall that US / Cuba issues date back to 1960, so 51 years of sanctions. US has a long memory of a friend that turns into an enemy.
@Cautious: Truckers may be unemployed - but at least other innocent Pakistanis are alive as the drone strikes have stopped!
@Cautious:
Are you sure that is the only reason NATO/Americans have for getting relations back on track ?
these are the very same people their drones have been killing every day.
Playing with other nations is the hobby all western countries,take full use their education and resources and now is this test of their nerves for first time, they are definitely need this route to feed their troops only since winter is always slow in activity therefore less difficulty is being felt.New threat of joint Taliban against USA and NATO will now be talking.WHO NEEDS WHOM.
All we needed AN APOLOGY. Now maybe their EGO will supply what all they need. Afghans will be lowest priority and have been as always. Enjoy NATO !!
@Harry Stone: Pakistan had said yes to Americas war on terror, pakistan lost 45000 inocent people in Americas war on terror, pakistan has lost 3500 regular soldiers in Americas war on terror, pakistan army has been hunting american enemies, pakistan has provided americans the only main supply route through its country with out charging a single cent (not gonna happen any more) pakistan has kept quite on regular manslaughter of its people by US drone strikes, you want me to go on? I think all this warrants for lot of respect which of course americans cant apprciate.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Very true.
@hamzad:
And just what would that actually accomplish for PAK?
I can tell you one thing it will not accomplish and that is US support for PAK. You make all of this sound as if it is the end of history. It is not for the US but it might be for PAK.
But if this is what you think PAK should do then by all means do it but realize the price you pay and the risks that it involves.
@Cautious: Dear Cautious, You may have overlooked it, but since the blockade started the NATO/U.S. forces appear to have stopped their drone/aircraft attacks over Pakistan. In contrast to you methinks the blockade is having a serious effect on the Afghanistan war effort, and our American friends are desperate to get the trucks rolling.
@Saleem:
What has PAK done that would warrant respect? The same can be asked of what has PAK to display trust. The incident on the boarder was a result of a lack of trust. This was displayed by both the NATO forces and PAK. The question is why PAK distrusts NATO. I can understand why the US and NATO distrust PAK.
NATO doesnt want relations back, they want thier supply route restored so they can enjoy mcdonald and kfc again along with a steady flow of fuel and ammo for more friendly fires on pakistan with out a tiny hint of apology.
@Niaz Ahmed: At the end of the day all we want is money.
@Cautious: Unlike you, I do not NATO to go bankrupt with the expensive Northern supply route which costs them 3 to 5 times more than what the shorter supply line through Pakistan costs. Yes they can keep airlifting things in until the West goes even more bankrupt which is what you Indians seems to want but Pakistan only wants to redefine the alliance on more equitable terms. After all, Pakistan is supposedly an ally and it deserves to be treated fairly. Pakistan doesn't need any aid, it just needs fair trade agreements.
It mainly affects the economy, wages and work for people who are in the transport business in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Does he really think we will believe that a NATO general cares about the transport industry in Pakistan and Afghanistan?
People don't confuse yourselves with these sort of headlines, as the actual decisions have been made as to the future policy in Washington and not in Islamabad !!! Get real for once, as 2012 is going to very tough year for Pakistan, hence back door diplomacy efforts and front door Ghairatmand giri by Pakistan !!!!
United Satans MUST be kicked hard..This is a golden opportunity..seems the Slaves are itching to be whipped by their Masters again.
Kick humiliate Zaleel United Satans and NATO on LIVE TV day in day out..you might salvage some respect in the wold.
@Cautious:
"Sad state of affairs when an American General cares more about the workers in Pakistan and Afghanistan than their own govt does."
The "NATO general' is being somewhat disingenuous - NATO is scheduled to pull out the vast majority of its forces in 2014 - that means that the 'people in the NATO transit business' will have to find alternate means of revenue and business by 2014 in any case.
So these 'people in the NATO transit business' can either start adjusting and looking for alternate sources of business now, or they can do so 2 years down the road - either way the NATO transit business is pretty much going to come to an end.
@Saleem:
What has PAK done that would warrant respect? The same can be asked of what has PAK done to warrent trust. The incident on the boarder was a result of a lack of trust. This was displayed by both the NATO forces and PAK. The question is why PAK distrusts NATO. I can understand why the US and NATO distrust PAK.
This re-opening of the Route must be decided by the parliament and All parties conference.That will include all the stake Holders, The same way it was blocked with all parties consensus, it should be or should not be opened without All parties consensus.
Apologize first & then think of our support..otherwise We r happy without ur support,aid or whateva..
@Saleem:Can you honestly tell me when Pakistan based its relationship on trust with the rest of the world? It's so easy to sermonise others of being honest and trustworthy.
lets wait till their stockpiles end ... then it will fun....
Let them waive our 60 Billion foreign debt and give compensation to 35000 people killed because of war on terror. Then may be we can talk about dialogue.
Let us hope that for once the people responsible for making decissions do what is right and in Pakistan's interest.
@Cautious:
Or maybe he is not willing to admit - in plain words - that Nato's war effort in Afghanistan is collapsing because of lack of food, fuels, and supply. I'd prefer if he lets Pakistanis and Afghanis to worry about their own concerns than trying to give these stupid condescending statements.
@Grace: we must put an end to this mercenary attitude that affliced our army and politicians once and for all.
Lets stick to the principled decsion and not open the routes to NATO supplied at all. If war comapnies suffer, let them. We should not care - there is bigger principle here.
Our economy will flourish when there is peace, not to mention our heart, mind and souls...
not now, let us find a breakthrough for you in talks with Taliban... look we doing this only for ur sake as we do everything for ur sake.... let us do this,
be our enemies for a while plz so we hav some credibility in eyes of honorable taliban and then once we get a breakthrough for you, we ll be back in ur shackles as slaves, Master !!
Any relation should base upon mutual respect and trust. So far neither NATO nor US has shown any of it, nor they have pledged to do either. Then why there should be any cooperation.
You are absolutely wrong no American general cares about the workers of Pakistan he only cares about many times expenses America is bearing to take longer rout. America is a treacherous country and friend of no body and never care about any body.@Cautious:
@ Mohammad Ali Siddiqui
Wishful thinking? You have already cutoff supplies and the only impact to date is unemployed truckers & warehouseman. After May 2'nd it was clear to NATO (and the rest of the World) that Pakistan was unreliable. As I recall Pakistan handles no more than a 1/3'rd of NATO supplies and while the cutoff of those supplies maybe inconvenient it's far from the crippling blow you believe.
@Grace: "Also NATO should agree to help build a big fence to close the border to Afghani criminals who keep entering Pakistan and causing crimes and terrorism."
Nato cannot build the fence nor can Pakistan because Afghanistan does not recognise the Durrand Line. Even the Taliban when in power flatly refused to recognise the Durrand Line despite the fact that they depended on us for survival.
If Pakistan will stop NATO supplies completely for once and for all, the ongoing US war on terror in Pakistan and Afghanistan will automatically come to its logical end.
On one hand NATO says Pakistan route has no significance for them and on the other hand they are trying to get it open ASAP.
NATO and other partners are being frustrated because of their own unjustified behaviour. If they still are not considering the apology for the fatality ' then they might burn themselves , ..We should not care about war and the Afghanistan.
Let them open supply routes after NATO agrees to pay the same rates for transport that they are paying the Russians and Central Asian nations. Just because Musharraf gave away transport rights for free is no reason why Pakistan shouldn't be charging a fair price for use of its transport facilities. Also NATO should agree to help build a big fence to close the border to Afghani criminals who keep entering Pakistan and causing crimes and terrorism.
Sad state of affairs when an American General cares more about the workers in Pakistan and Afghanistan than their own govt does.