Drone protests in Pakistan threaten US cargo route out of Afghanistan

The US has halted ground shipments of cargo leaving Afghanistan via Pakistan due to the route being being targeted by by protesters angered by US drone strikes.

A military spokesman said the safety of the drivers could not be assured.

Many in Pakistan oppose the strikes saying they kill too many civilians and violate their country’s sovereignty.

The U.S. decision to suspend its use of the route is another headache for military planners just as Afghan President Hamid Karzai throws into doubt American plans to keep some forces in Afghanistan after NATO’s combat mission ends next year.