Balochistan’s dangerous fuel trade is a lifeline. The Iran war is choking it

Balochistan’s perilous fuel trade serves as a lifeline for many, but the ongoing Iran war is threatening to cripple this vital commerce. As the war wreaks havoc on the illicit yet indispensable trade of importing fuel from Iran into Pakistan’s Balochistan province, the consequences are becoming increasingly dire.

Kuntani Hor, situated about 150 kilometres west of the port city of Gwadar, serves as one of the key points along the border where informal trade between Iran and Pakistan takes place. Boats bring Iranian petrol, diesel, and other goods into Pakistan through this unofficial route. The trade, while technically considered smuggling, has become so integral to the local economy that Balochistan’s provincial government even set a price per litre at which this fuel can be sold, outlawing its sale outside the province.

When the trade is active, thousands of laborers, drivers, boat crews, and depot workers from Balochistan and other parts of Pakistan rely on Kuntani for their livelihoods. The bustling scene at Kuntani Hor, one of the creek's sides where Iranian fuel is unloaded into Pakistan's informal network, highlights the significance of this trade. However, as the Iran war continues to escalate, the future of this critical economic lifeline hangs in the balance.