Residents of Balochistan’s Mastung district have accused Frontier Corps (FC) personnel of harassing and extorting poor laborers who transport fuel on motorcycles in the Dasht area.
According to local sources, FC personnel recently confiscated six fuel containers from several motorcycle riders and allegedly demanded 8,000 rupees for their return.
“We are unemployed and rely on borrowing fuel to resell for our livelihood,” one protester said.
“Where should we go? If we are not allowed to earn a living, should we resort to theft? This is sheer injustice.”
The protesters claim they have been repeatedly harassed by FC personnel and are demanding the immediate return of the confiscated fuel containers.
They warned that if their grievances remain unaddressed, they will block the Quetta-Karachi highway in protest.
Freight Transporters Strike in Balochistan Over Checkpoint ‘Harassment’
Meanwhile, freight transporters across Balochistan launched a strike on Tuesday, protesting against alleged unfair treatment, excessive traffic fines, and bribery at security checkpoints in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As a result, the supply of essential goods—including fruits, vegetables, food items, coal, and commercial products—has been suspended from Balochistan to other regions of Pakistan. Incoming supplies to Balochistan have also been suspended.
The strike has been organized by the Balochistan Goods Truck & Trailer Owners Association, Balochistan Mini Mazda Truck Association, Oil Tankers Owners Association, and several other transport unions.
Transporters have blocked major highways in Loralai, Zhob, Jaffarabad, and Hub, as well as roads near the borders with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The protest has also disrupted freight truck movements to Afghanistan and Iran.
There are concerns that the strike could push up prices of fruits, vegetables, poultry, eggs, wheat, flour, and other essentials in Balochistan, which relies heavily on supplies from other regions for these goods.
Observers note that Punjab and Sindh could also face price hikes due to the suspension of coal, minerals, onions, and other agricultural products from Balochistan.
“The strike will continue until the government meets our demands,” said Noor Ahmed Shahwani, provincial president of the Goods Truck Transport Association.