Balochistan truckers halt mineral transportation

Association cites attacks, extortion and insecurity

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QUETTA:

The Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association has announced it will suspend the loading and transportation of chromite, marble, and other minerals across the province, citing repeated attacks on vehicles, lack of security, and widespread extortion by various elements.

Addressing a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday, Association President Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani said transporters have suffered losses worth crores of rupees due to the burning of trucks and bursting of tires. He warned that any truck or company owner who loads minerals will be solely responsible for any profit or loss.

"From today onward, no truck will load chromite or marble from Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Muslim Bagh, or Loralai," Shahwani declared. Loading of food items and other general goods will, however, continue as normal.

He said the attacks have been occurring for a long time on national highways. Recent incidents were reported in areas including Mastung, Khad Kocha, Armagai in Kharan district, Washuk, and Khuzdar, where nearly a dozen trucks were targeted. Eight trucks were set on fire while the rest sustained damage to their tires.

Shahwani complained that neither mine contractors and owners nor the provincial government have provided any support or compensation to the affected transporters, turning mineral transport into an unbearable ordeal.

He further alleged that no highway in Balochistan is safe. Lootings occur in broad daylight at gunpoint, with money being forcibly taken from trucks and buses. At several check posts, including Rukshan, Barori, Barija in Jhal Magsi district, Rakhni, and Dana Sar, security and customs personnel allegedly force parked food trucks to surrender diesel.

The Association chief also pointed to "humiliating" behavior by the SHO of Sakran Police Station at Hub Chowki towards transporters. He claimed that trucks and trailers heading from Balochistan to Karachi in Sindh are regularly subjected to forced bhatta.

Despite directives issued by the Chief Minister of Balochistan to end police and other departments' bhatta culture and remove illegal check posts, the practice continues unabated, he added.

Shahwani also raised the issue of a recent fire at the Lakpass Customs Warehouse, in which transporters' vehicles worth billions of rupees were destroyed. He demanded the formation of a high-level inquiry committee under the supervision of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the incident and take action against those responsible.