Senate panel flags drug production in Balochistan

A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Tuesday raised serious concerns over narcotics production, fuel smuggling, and tax evasion in different districts of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), directing authorities to take immediate and strict action.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, was convened to review the theft of a large quantity of cigarettes from a customs warehouse. During the session, officials from the FIA informed the committee that notices had already been issued to several officers involved in the case, while further details had been sought from others.

They said a final report would be prepared once responses to these notices were received.

During the meeting, committee member Senator Umar Farooq made a startling revelation, claiming that the entire district of Qila Abdullah in Balochistan was involved in opium and hashish production. He also pointed out that large-scale oil smugglers were openly uploading videos of their activities on social media, urging relevant institutions to take notice.

The committee also discussed the ongoing issue of Iranian oil smuggling into Pakistan.

Customs officials informed the panel that the sale of Iranian oil was permitted in four districts of Balochistan—Panjgur, Gwadar, Kech, and Washuk—where approximately three million litres of oil were being brought in daily from Iran. They added that the quantity fluctuates and sometimes exceeds this figure.

According to customs authorities, the allowance was granted due to the absence of oil marketing companies (OMCs) in these remote areas, where petrol pumps have not been established and regular fuel supply is unavailable. The arrangement, they said, was intended to facilitate residents.