Govt mulls $1,500 tax on every Nato container

LONDON - Pakistan is formulating plans to tax Nato for every load of supplies trucked through its territory en route to Western forces in Afghanistan, according to a report in British newspaper The Guardian. Citing anonymous military and civilian sources, the report suggests Pakistan may levy a charge of $1,500 per shipping container, and a separate charge for tankers, when it finally reopens its border to Nato traffic. The border convoys were halted by Pakistan in retaliation for a US airstrike which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last month. While Pakistani officials tell CBS News the report by the Guardian is 'premature, they do not deny the notion that a tax on Nato shipments is being considered. We have to first clarify exactly how and when the route will reopen before discussing new taxes, a Pakistani government official told CBS News, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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