The Afghanistan bound containers and oil tankers were stopped near Chaman and Quetta on November 26, 2011 following the deadly Nato air strike on Pakistani outposts in Mohmand Agency. Nato supplies from Balochistan were suspended on the directives of Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani. Oil tankers were sent back to Karachi beforehand due to the threat of them being torched. Over 200 containers were sent back from Chaman border with strict security measures adopted by paramilitary troops, Frontier Corps (FC) and other law enforcing agencies.
“All the oil tankers carrying fuel for Nato forces were sent back earlier while containers started moving back on Wednesday,” sources said.
Stringent measures have been taken by security forces and law enforcement agencies in Chaman for the protection of stranded Nato suppliers. Over 600 workers, including drivers, cleaners and helpers, had been stranded in Chaman along with the vehicles.
“We were mentally tense as we had to stay at the Nato terminal in Chaman for so many days,” a driver told the media.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2012.
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It takes a long time to shut down a large scale distribution system - there is always an enormous amt of inventory in transit that is stuck in the distribution pipeline. It's an expensive process and one not taken lightly. If the American's are removing the goods that's a pretty good sign that they have made a decision to no longer rely on Pakistan - not good news for the thousands of Pakistani dock workers, warehouseman, truckers, bean counters etc who have made a living off this transportation system. It may cost the American's more money to use alternative routes -- but American's have never been bashful about spending money when national security is at stake. If the pipeline reopens you can expect a much reduced level of supplies with the pipeline used primarily as a lever against the alternative supply route