In sweltering heat of Balochistan,Mazaar navigates treacherous terrain on overloaded motorbike,smuggling Iranian fuel into Pakistan. With temperatures hitting 50°C (120°F), risk of his cargo igniting is ever-present. His bike,burdened with five 70-litre canisters,weighs nearly 600 pounds,leaving little room to maneuver .
Fuel smuggling from Iran into Pakistan has surged recently,driven by rising oil prices amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. As war disrupts oil flows through Strait of Hormuz, demand for cheaper alternatives in Pakistan skyrockets. Mazaar,who turned to smuggling after drought devastated his farming livelihood,is among estimated 2.4 million people in Balochistan engaged in this risky trade.
He recounts the dangers he faces . Plastic containers can swell and leak under intense heat,leading to catastrophic fires. "We do this because we don't have any other option," he explains. "The weather is hot,prices are high,and we spend day and night on road." Smugglers like Mazaar often operate amidst violence,with clashes between Pakistani forces and separatist groups complicating already perilous endeavors.
The scale of operation is massive. A leaked report from Pakistan's intelligence agencies estimated fuel worth $1 billion (£745 million) smuggled annually. In May, Pakistan's major oil refineries noted an increase in cross-border petroleum flows,prompting calls for government intervention. Meanwhile, official petroleum sales hit a 27-year low,largely due to rise in smuggling.
Irfan,another smuggler,turned to this dangerous line of work due to limited options. After contracting polio, he struggles with mobility, making it hard to find other jobs. He opts to transport diesel,which poses a lower risk of ignition compared to petrol. "If I can't stand up, I'll get badly burned," he says,highlighting constant threat of injury in their line of work.
Political landscape around fuel smuggling is complex . While Pakistani government has occasionally cracked down on trade,enforcement is challenging in remote border areas. Many in Balochistan view smuggling as a lifeline,as legitimate job opportunities are scarce. Fida Hussain Dashti,former chamber of commerce president, argues government failed to create sufficient employment options. "Even a student who graduates with an MA degree ends up joining this oil business," he notes.
Despite risks,many smugglers report local officials often overlook their activities in exchange for bribes. Pakistani government denies any involvement in smuggling trade,asserting law enforcement has been directed to combat issue. However, reality on ground suggests a different story, with many smugglers like Mazaar resigned to their fate.
As Mazaar and his fellow riders prepare to leave Mastung,they face not only oppressive heat but also uncertainty of their future. "The war started and we were ruined," he reflects,noting while his costs have risen,selling price remains stagnant. Once earning 5,000 rupees (£13) a day,his income now dwindled to 3,000 rupees,still above Pakistan's minimum wage but insufficient for a family of several dependents.
In this harsh environment,bikers continue their perilous journeys, driven by necessity and hope of a better tomorrow. "I don't worry about it," Mazaar says of risks he faces. "I have to die one day anyway." With that, he and his group set off,braving elements and dangers that lie ahead…
