In the recent months, residents of Mastung district in Balochistan have raised serious allegations against the Frontier Corps (FC), accusing the paramilitary force of harassing and extorting poor labourers who transport fuel on motorcycles in the Dasht area.
These labourers, often referred to as fuel carriers or "smugglers," have been an essential part of the local economy, as they transport fuel from neighbouring regions to various parts of Balochistan. However, the situation has taken a dark turn as reports of abuse and extortion by FC personnel have surfaced.
Local sources claim that FC personnel have been regularly stopping and detaining fuel carriers, subjecting them to harassment, and demanding bribes for the return of their confiscated goods. Recently, the situation escalated when FC personnel confiscated six fuel containers from several motorcycle riders in the Dasht area, a region known for its high levels of fuel smuggling. According to reports, the FC personnel allegedly demanded a hefty sum of 8,000 rupees from the labourers for the return of their fuel containers.
This incident has caused significant distress among the local community, as many of the affected labourers are impoverished and rely on this work to support their families. The extortion demands of the FC have added to their already difficult circumstances, and the constant threat of harassment has left them feeling helpless and vulnerable. Local residents are now calling for an investigation into the actions of the FC personnel, urging authorities to take swift action to ensure that such abuses do not continue.
Fuel smuggling has been a longstanding issue in Balochistan, with many residents in the region engaging in the practice due to the lack of access to affordable fuel and the high prices set by official distributors. The smuggling routes often pass through remote areas like Mastung, where fuel carriers transport fuel in containers on motorcycles to sell at lower prices in local markets. While the smuggling itself is illegal, the treatment of the workers by FC personnel has sparked outrage among the local population, who believe that the laborers are being unfairly targeted and exploited.
The situation in Mastung is emblematic of the larger issue of governance and security in Balochistan, a province that has long faced economic challenges and political unrest. The Frontier Corps, which is tasked with maintaining security in the region, has been criticized for its heavy-handed tactics and lack of accountability. Many believe that the FC’s actions in Mastung reflect a broader pattern of abuse against marginalized communities in Balochistan, where the military and paramilitary forces are often accused of using their power to exploit vulnerable populations.
In response to these allegations, the local authorities have yet to take concrete action, and the residents of Mastung are increasingly frustrated by the lack of support. Community leaders are calling for an independent investigation into the behaviour of the FC personnel, demanding that those responsible for the extortion be held accountable. In the meantime, the laborers continue to face the harsh reality of having to work under the threat of violence and exploitation.
The ongoing harassment of fuel carriers in Mastung highlights a deeper issue of systemic abuse in Balochistan, where many people feel trapped between the state’s security forces and the economic struggles of daily life. Until meaningful reforms are implemented, the residents of Mastung and similar regions will continue to endure hardships, as both their economic livelihoods and personal dignity are compromised by the actions of those in power.