From villages along the road in Chaman, Balochistan, poor labour turned shrewd oil prospectors are the first to arrive at oil tanker spills. Nato oil tankers tipping over frequently in folds along the road have put the locals wise to the fruits of accidental fortune in the absence of opportunity and employment. They come in droves. And when they run out of gallons to fill, they bring pots and pans. – Text and photos by Aurangzaib Khan and Matiullah Achakzai.

Matiullah Achakzai is journalist based in Chaman. Aurangzaib Khan is a senior award-winning journalist based in Peshawar and has also worked extensively in the development and uplift sector in KP and FATA.