Attacks on Commercial Vehicles a Conspiracy to Harm Pakistan-Iran Economic Ties and Development Projects: Balochistan Interior Minister

Quetta: Balochistan Interior Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau has said that attacks on LPG bowsers, oil tankers, and other commercial vehicles arriving from Iran are not merely security incidents but a planned attempt to damage growing trade relations between Pakistan and Iran, regional economic connectivity, and major development projects.

He said the Balochistan government is taking emergency measures to address the situation and has established a special security force to protect national and international highways.

The minister’s statement came after a recent incident in Nok Kach area of Chagai district, where unidentified armed men set fire to three LPG bowsers coming from Iran into Pakistan. The incident is being considered part of a series of attacks on commercial vehicles during the past month, raising concerns among transporters, traders, investors, and industrial sectors.

According to sources, repeated attacks and security concerns along the Quetta-Taftan Highway have severely affected trade convoys. The route is a key land corridor between Pakistan and Iran, through which LPG, petroleum products, minerals, construction materials, machinery, and other goods are transported to different parts of Pakistan.

Police officials said more than 400 trucks carrying LPG are currently waiting at the Taftan border for loading and clearance. Traders and business representatives stated that around 1,500 to 2,000 bowsers and cargo trucks carrying different goods are stranded at the border awaiting security clearance.

Mir Ziaullah Langau alleged that banned groups, including the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), are targeting trade convoys from Iran and attempting to damage development initiatives and economic cooperation between Pakistan, Iran, and China.

He claimed that these elements aim to harm Pakistan’s economy, undermine investor confidence, and damage the country’s international image. He also alleged that such organizations receive external support and plan their activities from outside Pakistan, although countries accused in similar allegations have previously denied such claims.

The interior minister said the government has established a special force for the protection of national and international highways, which has started operations. He added that the force will gradually be deployed in five important districts of Balochistan over the next six months, while additional security measures are being implemented on the Quetta-Taftan route.

A senior Balochistan government official told UNA that attacks on LPG bowsers, oil tankers, and mineral-carrying vehicles between Dalbandin and Gwadar/Gadap routes have increased. He said most commercial vehicles are now traveling in convoys under the protection of FC and police, but the vehicles targeted in the latest attack had moved without waiting for the security convoy.

Sources linked to the Reko Diq project said that attacks have increased alongside the growth of foreign investment and development activities in the region. They claimed that two to three attacks have been reported every week on average during the past month, with Iran-bound LPG trucks frequently becoming targets.

President of the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce, Muhammad Ayub Marriani, said dozens of vehicles carrying oil, gas, LPG, and other commercial goods have been destroyed in different parts of the province. He warned that the situation is affecting business activities as well as the supply of essential goods and fuel in Quetta and other districts.

He added that traders and transporters had staged protests over security concerns but temporarily suspended their demonstrations after assurances from the government and security institutions regarding the deployment of a special force.

Meanwhile, a Chagai Chamber of Commerce official said goods worth more than Rs. 15 billion are currently stranded at the Taftan border, including LPG, petroleum products, construction materials, minerals, industrial machinery, and food items.

The official warned that if the security situation does not improve soon, trade between Pakistan and Iran could face further disruption, while Balochistan’s economy, industrial projects, and the national supply chain may suffer long-term negative consequences.