Fuel wanted: Limited fuel supply causes hardship in Dalbandin

Import of Iranian oil now restricted.

Acute shortage of Pakistani petrol and diesel in a remote town characterised by long distances and soaring transport rates is crippling life in Dalbandin, headquarters of district Chaghi in Balochistan.

The only low quality Iranian petrol available is selling for Rs110 to Rs120 per litre. Pakistani companies only supply diesel in limited quantity whose price also fluctuates in relation to the availability of Iranian diesel.

According to sources, even if Pakistani oil companies supply more than 10 tankers a day, they will find willing customers. Traditionally, local companies do not supply petrol since Iranian fuel was imported in abundance at cheap rates through the Taftan International Gateway (TIG), the trade gate shared with Iran. One could buy a gallon of petrol for the official price of a litre in Pakistan. The TIG was used for exchanging commodities across the border with Iran to cater to local needs.

Ever since Iranian authorities have constructed a wall for security reasons, leaving space for a small passage locally known as ‘zero point’, the supply of Iranian petrol has been suspended. There is practically no petrol available since Pakistani oil companies do not have proper outlets in this area.

Iranian petrol is now imported through Turbat across hundreds of miles, resulting in a sharp price increase on account of transportation charges. Local transporters are unhappy with the supply of the pricey substandard oil which is harmful for their vehicles. They have resorted to extracting higher fares from passengers and traders. This in turn has pushed up commodity prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2011.