Balochistan truckers suspend mineral transport over attacks, extortion

QUETTA: The Balochistan Goods Truck Owners Association has announced a halt to the loading and transportation of chromite, marble and other minerals across the province, saying the decision was taken because of repeated attacks on vehicles, inadequate security and extortion.

Speaking at a press conference at the Quetta Press Club on Tuesday, association president Haji Noor Muhammad Shahwani said transporters had suffered losses running into crores of rupees after trucks were burned and tires were damaged in attacks on highways.

He said the suspension would apply to mineral transport from several areas of the province, while the movement of food supplies and other general cargo would continue. "From today onward, no truck will load chromite or marble from Dalbandin, Nokkundi, Muslim Bagh, or Loralai," Shahwani said.

Attacks on highways

According to Shahwani, such incidents have been taking place for a long time on national highways in Balochistan. He referred to recent attacks in Mastung, Khad Kocha, Armagai in Kharan district, Washuk and Khuzdar, where nearly a dozen trucks were targeted.

He said eight trucks were set ablaze, while the remaining vehicles suffered tire damage. He added that transporters had not received support or compensation from mine contractors, mine owners or the provincial government, and said the business of moving minerals had become extremely difficult for truckers.

The association chief also alleged that no highway in the province was safe, claiming that robberies were being carried out in daylight at gunpoint and that cash was being taken from trucks and buses.

Allegations of extortion and misconduct

Shahwani further alleged that at a number of check posts, including Rukshan, Barori, Barija in Jhal Magsi district, Rakhni and Dana Sar, security and customs personnel were forcing stationary food trucks to hand over diesel.

He also raised complaints about what he described as humiliating conduct by the SHO of Sakran Police Station at Hub Chowki towards transporters. In addition, he alleged that trucks and trailers travelling from Balochistan to Karachi were regularly subjected to forced bhatta.

Shahwani said the practice was continuing despite directives from the chief minister of Balochistan to end the bhatta culture within police and other departments and to remove illegal check posts.

Demand for inquiry into warehouse fire

The association president also referred to the recent fire at the Lakpass Customs Warehouse, saying transporters’ vehicles worth billions of rupees had been destroyed in the incident.

He demanded the constitution of a high-level inquiry committee under the supervision of the Balochistan High Court to investigate the fire and identify those responsible.

He also warned that any truck owner or company choosing to load minerals despite the association’s decision would be responsible for its own profit or loss.

The announcement marks a significant disruption in the transport of minerals from key producing areas of Balochistan, even as the association has said that the loading and transportation of food items and other general goods will continue as usual.