LANDI KOTAL, Oct 16: Differences have surfaced between two groups of transporters in Khyber Agency over off-day payment to truckers supplying goods to Nato forces in Afghanistan.

Janzeb Afridi, the president of Khyber Transporters and Workers Union, claimed that almost all drivers and transporters received all their outstanding dues from the transport and cargo companies in Karachi.

He accused Israrullah Shinwari of blackmailing the cargo companies and trying to extract extra money from them. “Israrullah has nothing to do with supplies to Nato as he was a representative of oil tankers association,” he said while talking to Dawn.

Mr Afridi said that payments were made to all drivers by the cargo companies in accordance with a written agreement reached between the companies and transporters about 10 months ago. Almost 90 per cent of the drivers resumed their duty, he said.

He claimed that his union played the role of a mediator between transporters and cargo companies to broker a deal between the two parties.

Mr Afridi said that he was in possession of written documents duly signed by all transporters, acknowledging receipt of payment from the companies.

He said that out of the total 1,850 truckers, only 30 or 40 refused to continue their service.

Mr Afridi alleged that Israrullah along with a group of drivers was unlawfully pressurising the Khyber Agency political administration to forcibly stop vehicles, operating for the cargo companies.

Israrullah Shinwari had told Dawn a week ago that some cargo companies refused to pay them an agreed amount of Rs4,000 as off-day for 25 days a month.

Mr Afridi alleged that political administration too was creating hurdles for transporters carrying multiple supplies to Afghanistan. He said that khasadars posted at checkposts along the Peshawar-Torkham Highway were forcing drivers to give them money.

He said that every truck, carrying goods to Afghanistan, paid Rs16,000 to khasadars in the name of ‘kitchen expenses’. He added that 400 to 500 trucks crossed into Afghanistan every day. “You can judge the money khasadars and political authorities get through these means,” he said.