Blockade lifted, Nato trucks cross Pakistan border

For the first time in seven months, trucks carrying supplies for Nato troops crossed from Pakistan to Afghanistan on Thursday after authorities here lifted a blockade of the vital routes ending a bitter standoff with US.

Customs officials told the media that three container trucks had crossed through the Chaman land border in southwestern Balochistan province.

Five Nato trucks had been stranded at Chaman due to a blockade imposed by Pakistan and the two remaining vehicles were expected to cross after their contents had been checked by authorities.

On Tuesday, Pakistan ended the blockade of supply lines to Afghanistan after the US apologised for a cross-border Nato air strike that had killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

The supply routes were shut immediately after the Nato attack on November 26 last year.

Customs officials at the Chaman crossing said they had received orders from federal authorities to allow Nato trucks to pass.