Extortion fears may disrupt essential supplies in Balochistan

QUETTA: The Central Traders Association of Balochistan has warned that retail goods transport companies may halt deliveries on national highways for an indefinite period if authorities do not move quickly against armed groups accused of extorting transporters along key routes.

The warning raises the prospect of disruptions in the movement of essential supplies across the province, including food, medicines and other consumer goods carried in from Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The statement was made at a press conference on Tuesday by Central Traders Association President Abdul Rahim Kakar, according to a monitored public feed from Dawn Pakistan.

Kakar said Balochistan’s retail goods transport network was central to the province’s economy and supported thousands of families whose incomes depend on the delivery and distribution of merchandise. He said growing insecurity on highways was putting that network at risk at a time when the province already faces fragile law and order conditions.

He alleged that freight trucks travelling from Karachi to Quetta were being stopped on national highways, taken to remote areas and subjected to extortion demands amounting to millions of rupees. In cases where drivers refused to pay, cargo worth millions of rupees was reportedly looted, while some vehicles were allegedly fired upon or set ablaze.

Kakar said the incidents were being reported in parts of Mastung, Kalat, Surab and Khuzdar, even though those routes have multiple security checkpoints. He said organised groups appeared to have built systems for collecting extortion money from transport companies, with some demands reaching Rs10 million or more for a single truck.

He warned that any suspension of transport services would quickly affect the availability of flour, sugar, cooking oil, pulses, rice, baby food and medicines in markets across Balochistan. He also said shortages could spread to clothing, footwear, electronics, hardware, auto parts and construction materials, adding pressure on prices if deliveries are interrupted.

The traders’ warning underscores how closely Balochistan depends on road transport for everyday supplies. Any prolonged stoppage on national highways could affect both household essentials and commercial goods, with knock-on effects for retailers and consumers across the province.

This report is based on a monitored public feed and attributed to Dawn Pakistan.

Source: Dawn Pakistan - https://www.dawn.com/news/2017433/extortion-fears-may-disrupt-essential-supplies-in-balochistan