The United States has dramatically reduced its reliability on Pakistani supply routes to Afghanistan down to 35 percent given the volatile nature of the border areas, where a number of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) suppliers have come under attack.
According to American media, the country’s reliability on Pakistan for supplying goods and arms and ammunition for its troops in Afghanistan has fallen to just 35 percent, a top Pentagon official told US lawmakers. This is a considerable reduction, given that until recently the US routed 70 percent of supplies through Pakistan, a fact considered to be a major bargaining chip for Pakistan with the US.
This figure of 35 percent is expected to come down further in coming months as the Pentagon is working to increase its supply to Afghanistan through the Northern Distribution Network. “It’s my understanding that approximately 35 percent moves through the ground, and the other is moving through the Northern Distribution Network, coupled also with lift as we bring in supplies by air,” General William M Fraser told the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing to be the commander of United States Transportation Command.