Strike by Pakistani truckers carrying NATO goods

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Officials say truckers who carry supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan have gone on strike in northwest Pakistan to protest lower pay.

Jehanzeb Khan, head of a transport workers union, says the strike began Wednesday in response to the government's decision to require truckers to go through authorized companies to carry NATO supplies instead of making individual deals.

Khan said the companies pay the truckers less. He also said the trucks were not adequately protected from Taliban attacks, and security officials demanded excessive bribes from the drivers.

Political official Tahir Khan said no trucks carrying NATO supplies crossed the northwest Torkham border Wednesday.

Torkham is one of two crossings used to ship NATO supplies.

Clearing agent Mohammed Asghar said goods continued to move through the other crossing in southwest Pakistan.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.