An intelligence report has estimated that approximately 10 million litres of Iranian petrol and diesel are smuggled into Pakistan daily via land and sea routes, leading to an annual revenue loss of over Rs 227 billion. The report contains detailed information about 100 individuals involved in illicit activities, including their identities, addresses, and contact details. These individuals are associated with around a dozen law enforcement agencies (LEAs), as well as the owners and operators of 533 illegal petrol stations across the country and 105 smugglers of Iranian oil.
The report is however quiet on the involvement of politicians and Pakistan Army and other para-military officials posted on the long and porous border. Last year, the Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti had stated that “It won’t be right if I say straightaway that security forces weren’t involved in it, as all this smuggling was being carried out via trucks, not camels.” He had also suggested that Army chief, General Asim Munir had ordered a crackdown on any army officials found to be involved in smuggling activities.
Furthermore, the report outlines precise details about informal border crossings and trafficking routes used for smuggling activities across Pakistan.
The report highlights that the annual volume of Iranian oil smuggling amounts to approximately 2.8 billion liters, resulting in an annual revenue loss of at least Rs227 billion to the national exchequer. Smuggled petroleum products are transported through less frequented routes in Makran and Rakhshan divisions and are primarily sold at unauthorized roadside petrol outlets.
The majority of these illegal petrol stations, 348 in total, are located in Punjab, including major cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, and Attock. Balochistan follows with 116 outlets, while Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have 38 and 31 outlets, respectively.
Various law enforcement agencies, including customs intelligence, border management police, and civil defence, have been identified as being involved in or facilitating illegal trade and business. Despite efforts to curb smuggling, the report notes that the quantum of Iranian oil smuggling surged to approximately 10.1 million litres per day before decreasing to 5-5.3 million litres per day due to crackdowns by the caretaker government. However, following the general elections, smuggling activities have resurged to an estimated 8.9 million litres per day.
The report also sheds light on the socio-economic impact, stating that around 2.2 to 2.4 million people in Balochistan rely on Iranian oil smuggling for their livelihood, particularly those in terrorism-affected southern Balochistan who have limited economic opportunities.
May 2, 2024
source: Dawn