QUETTA: The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has triggered a critical fuel crisis in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, with shortages spreading rapidly across the region.
From the provincial capital of Quetta to areas like Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Chagai, the fuel supply is being severely disrupted, leading to the closure of petrol stations and a breakdown in the daily functioning of the region.
In Quetta, over 70% of petrol stations have shut down, leaving long, chaotic queues at the remaining operational stations. Panic is spreading as fuel supplies dwindle, and there are growing concerns that within the next 24 hours, all petrol pumps in the city could completely cease operations. The situation is equally dire in the Makran and Chagai divisions, where the crisis is intensifying at an alarming rate.
In response to escalating security concerns, the Balochistan government has indefinitely sealed all border crossings with Iran, including crucial trade and fuel routes in Turbat, Panjgur, Gwadar, and Chagai. The decision, taken due to regional security threats, has cut off Balochistan’s primary source of fuel—Iranian petrol—creating an immediate supply shortage.
Authorities have confirmed the closure of the Mashkel border crossing in Chagai, a vital trade route, while in Gwadar, the Gabad-Kalatuk border has been closed for fuel and travel movement. Similarly, Panjgur has enforced a total shutdown of pedestrian and fuel crossings with Iran. Local administrations cited rising security risks and a volatile international situation as reasons for these precautionary measures.
The fuel crisis has been worsening for weeks, particularly in Quetta, where mini petrol stations selling Iranian fuel were shut down two weeks ago following government crackdowns. The border closures have further aggravated the shortage, with communities in areas like Chagai’s Mashkel region, which depend heavily on cross-border trade, facing transport paralysis.
However, the Balochistan government maintains that there is no fuel emergency across the province. Government spokesperson Shahid Rind dismissed reports of widespread shortages as “false narratives spread by petrol smugglers” and emphasized the safety hazards of Iranian petrol stations.
He pointed to 28 fuel-related accidents in Quetta over the past month, including incidents on Airport Road and in Hazar Ganji, and assured that action was being taken to ensure the legal supply of petrol through registered pumps.
Despite these assurances, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Across Quetta, Gwadar, Panjgur, Turbat, and Chagai, petrol stations have run dry, and long queues persist at those still open. With the fuel shortage continuing to deepen, there are growing concerns that the entire province may soon face a complete halt in its daily operations.
As the security situation between Iran and Israel continues to escalate, Balochistan’s borders remain locked down, and its streets are grinding to a halt. Local officials in Gwadar, Panjgur, and Chagai have urged residents to limit unnecessary travel and cooperate with the authorities during this critical time.
Amid the mounting panic, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has sought to dispel rumors regarding a nationwide fuel shortage, claiming that Pakistan has sufficient reserves of petroleum products.
However, the crisis in Balochistan reveals the growing domestic consequences of the conflict beyond the geopolitical stage, as the region faces severe fuel shortages, economic paralysis, and a shrinking supply of essential goods.
