Pakistan Flour Mills Association Balochistan Region Chairman Syed Nasir Agha on Monday accused Pakistan Customs officials of being involved in sugar smuggling to Afghanistan.
Agha spoke at a press conference and claimed that Customs officials were facilitating the smuggling of flour and sugar to Afghanistan, and that this was happening right under their noses.
The connection between Balochistan's borders and neighbouring countries is causing problems for the people of Balochistan, as they are being blackmailed due to this reason, he added.
Therefore, Agha demanded that the government should allow the export of sugar.
Agha also claimed that the recent shortage of sugar and the increase in its prices should have prompted the government to crack down on sugar mills, but instead, the ruling class or politicians with ties to the sugar business attacked the border districts of Balochistan with sugar.
The federal government gave instructions to keep a strict watch on the transportation of fertiliser and sugar in border districts, but despite this, wheat and flour were being sold under the guise of sugar and fertilizer, he added.
A series of transportation blockades has been initiated, and Customs officials are stopping wheat and flour vehicles at Lakpass, which is negatively affecting the supply of flour and wheat to different districts in Balochistan, he further said.
Agha further highlighted that the government has banned the transportation of wheat for purchase.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2023.
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