Islamabad, April 24
Hundreds of protesters demanding an end to US drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal regions blocked the main road to the border in the northwest, forcing authorities to halt NATO supply shipments to Afghanistan.

Officials said around 70 per cent of NATO supplies were transported through Pakistan. Suspected militants often attacked NATO trucks in Pakistan and this forced the USA to sign agreements with Russia for an alternative supply route.

Officials said supply trucks and oil tankers for around 1.5 lakh NATO troops were stopped in eastern Punjab province from heading towards the border region in view of the protest.

Cricketer-turned-politician and chief of Tehrik-e-Insaf party Imran Khan, who had called for a two-day protest, spent last night with hundreds of protesters on the main highway, connecting Pakistan with Afghanistan.

“We will continue our campaign until America stops killing our innocent people,” he told around 3,000 protesters on the outskirts of Peshawar.

“It is our start against American slavery. The people have risen up. They will let neither corrupt leaders nor their American bosses stay in this country,” he added. Khan also offered to act as a mediator for talks with militants. — PTI