CHAGAI: Three leaders of local political groups have urged the local authorities to open transportation of Iranian petrol and diesel for all residents of Chagai.

Addressing a press conference along with their supporters outside the Dalbandin Press Club on Wednesday, Mir Qadir Bakhsh Mohammad Hasni of Al-Fateh Panel, Mir Inayatullah Notezai of Baba-i-Chagai Panel and Arz Mohammad Barech of Barech Panel alleged that an important political alliance was using its influence for border trade and the local administration was protecting its interests.

They claimed that the local administration was planning to grant 150 tokens [permission letters] to those being supported by that influential panel. “There are thousands of jobless youths whose livelihood depends on border trade. If the authorities grant so many tokens to that group then what would be left for the remaining people?” they wondered.

They warned that they would block the RCD Highway in protest if free and fair border trade was not allowed.

They also criticised the deputy commissioner of Chagai and Dalbandin’s assistant commissioner for their alleged failure to maintain law and order and said robberies had become a routine in Chagai district for several months.

Mr Barech claimed that 165 vehicles had been snatched during the last five months in Chagai, but no suspect was arrested.

They alleged that the Dalbandin’s assistant commissioner was involved in smuggling of urea fertiliser to Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the local administration announced that tokens for oil transportation would be distributed through balloting to avoid any controversy.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Chagai Yasir Dashti has been appointed focal person to initiate balloting, a press release said.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2022