Pakistan to hike toll tax on NATO containers by 100pc, charge aeronautical fee
NATO is using Pakistan airspace free of cost.
(Dunya News)- Pakistan is reportedly mulling to hike Toll tax of containers carrying ammunition and other military hardware for U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops to Afghanistan by massive 100pc.
At present, each container is charged $1700. Analysts believe Toll tax hike is retaliatory measure to Trump’s tirade and suspension of military aid. Federal government is likely to take final decision in this regard in the ongoing week. A meeting for same between officials of finance ministry and officials of ministry of communication will be held in coming days.
Islamabad is also mulling to charge aeronautical fee to NATO for usage of its airspace. NATO is using Pakistan’s air space for the last 16 years free of cost. 360 NATO flights per month used Pakistan air space when Afghan war was at its peak.
It is pertinent here to mention that all supply of military hardware to NATO and U.S. troops occurs through Karachi port. The supply remained suspended for at least eight months after NATO helicopter intentionally attacked and martyred 27 soldiers at Salala check-post.
Despite new low in already troubled Pak-US relation, Pakistan has stated that it would not halt NATO supply to Afghanistan.
