PESHAWAR: Pakistan's blockade of the vital US supply line into Afghanistan entered a third week Saturday, the longest closure of the 10-year war with no imminent sign of the border reopening.
Pakistan's fragile alliance with the United States crashed to new lows two weeks ago on November 26 when Nato air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in what the Pakistan military called a deliberate attack.
Officials in the northwest, where the main Torkham crossing into Afghanistan is situated, told AFP there were no plans to reopen.
“There is strong public resentment. People are angry about this incident and we cannot take a decision in haste,” one senior security official told AFP.
“Pakistan will reopen the border when public anger cools down and the route is protected,” he added.
Two nights ago, gunmen destroyed at least 34 trucks in a gun and rocket attack on a Nato trucking terminal in Balochistan.
Around 44 oil tankers and goods trucks were parked at the temporary terminal, one of three set up in and around Quetta for stranded vehicles.
While few expect the alliance to break down over the strikes, officials gave AFP no date for reopening the crossing.
“People are still protesting. How can we take this decision in such an atmosphere?” said a security official in the northwest.
On Thursday, around 800 people poured onto the streets in Islamabad, venting fury with the United States and Nato, demanding an end to the unpopular alliance in the war against the Taliban.
“Nato will have to apologise. They will have to provide solid security for the future,” the official added.
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