Contractors of NATO supply illegally disposing of expired stuff inside Pakistan

KARACHI: The contractors for supplying food and general goods to NATO forces in Afghanistan are allegedly disposing of the expired goods inside Pakistan, which was disallowed by the government after resumption of NATO and US supply line, sources said on Sunday.
The sources said that multi-national firms, which providing services of sending goods to NATO and allied forces in Afghanistan, with the help of drivers of vehicles not only disposing the stuff at various routes going to Afghanistan but also supplying the same into Pakistan’s markets.
The government suspended the key NATO supply routes last year over loss of Pakistani soldiers in a raid at Salala check post located in Mohmand Agency on November 26, 2011. However, after the US ‘sorry’ Pakistan on July 03 this year allowed the reopening of such routes but with some conditions, which also included that no expired and damaged stuff carrying by NATO led containers would be destroyed on Pakistan territories besides also restricted re-export.
Therefore, it was made mandatory for the contractors to export such goods to Afghanistan.
The sources said that about 5,000 containers were stuck up due to supply suspension and large number of containers was carrying food and general goods for allied forces in Afghanistan.
They said that currently most of containers are being de-sealed at Qila Abdullah in Pakistan adjacent to Afghan border and then containers filled with stuff either sand or stones up to the required weight. The sources said that the stuff then sent to Pakistan markets. The stuff included: meat, tissue papers, juices, milk, sealed food packets and medicine.
The sources said that the drivers of bonded carriers are helping the contractors and vehicles approaching Afghanistan through Chaman, Pashin and Yaro are being de-sealed inside Pakistan.
Interestingly, no trackers are available on those vehicles for monitoring as recently customs withdrew the requirement of installing trackers on the containers.
The sources said that Pakistan customs authorities at those bordering areas have been involved as they deliberately avoiding examination of those containers.