Balochistan [Pakistan], March 7 (ANI): Ongoing tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States have sharply disrupted supplies of essential goods in Balochistan’s border districts, exposing fragile supply lines and driving up prices, The Balochistan Post reports. Districts along the Iran border — in the Makran and Rakhshan divisions, including Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Chagai and Washuk — have long relied on cheaper, more accessible imports from Iran rather than distant Pakistani cities.
Traders say border crossing closures and Iranian export restrictions have drastically curtailed movement of food and fuel. Ishaq Roshan Dashti, president of the Makran Traders Alliance, said nearly 80 percent of the fuel and food consumed in the border belt originates from Iran. Prices began rising earlier this year after Iran imposed export taxes of more than 30 percent amid domestic protests, and the current conflict has further collapsed cross-border trade. Iranian authorities have reportedly banned exports of food products, tightening supplies.
Commodities including flour, cooking oil, milk, yoghurt, LPG, petrol and diesel are becoming scarce. Local markets show shortages and remaining stocks are being sold at much higher prices. In coastal districts such as Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni and Ormara, prices of Iranian food items have risen 30–40 percent. In Mashkel, a remote Washuk town dependent on Iranian imports due to weak road links, LPG prices have nearly doubled to about 600 rupees per kilogram, while petrol, diesel and cooking oil have climbed 60–70 percent, a local trader, Khuda Dad, said.
The fishing industry in Gwadar is also suffering as soaring fuel costs raise operating expenses. Traders warn that prolonged border closures could trigger severe shortages of essential goods across multiple Balochistan districts, The Balochistan Post reports. (ANI)
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