Porous borders: Cattle smuggling from Balochistan spikes

Prices are beyond locals’ reach as Eid approaches; provincial govt allegedly involved.

QUETTA:

With Eidul Azha just over a week away, Balochistan is witnessing unprecedented increases in illegal cattle and flock smuggling to Afghanistan and Iran.

In the absence of proper checks, highways leading to the neighbouring countries are packed with trucks and other vehicles carrying cattle and flocks. “I have a huge stock of cattle that is being smuggled to Afghanistan, as I know I will be given a good amount in return,” said Naimatullah Khan, a cattle dealer standing at a cattle market near Eastern Bypass.

Naimatullah said that the prices of goats and cows are too high for people in Balochistan and therefore he exports them to Afghanistan or Iran. His explanation of his method for transport, however, was far from clear: “We have links with the people and I have a permit which never expires for this trade.”

Despite the Balochistan provincial assembly unanimously adopting a resolution demanding a complete ban on the smuggling of cattle and other animals to Iran and Afghanistan over a year ago, the problem still lingers.

Former finance minister Jaffar Mandokhel, who tabled the resolution in the assembly, said illegal smuggling is happening on a large scale. “Over a hundred trucks loaded with cattle and flocks cross the Iran and Afghan borders with complete impunity. All the anti-smuggling forces are involved in this illegal smuggling,” he said.

Mandokhel said he has been raising this issue for several years without result. “I can protest in my capacity in the house but if forces consider themselves powerful against the legislative assembly what else I can do,” he said, adding that smugglers can also transport cattle on foot.

He alleged that officials from the Frontier Corps, Customs and Federal Investigation Agency are backing the illegal smuggling. “They pocket money and let the smugglers cross the border.”

Mandokhel added that resolutions are ignored because of complicity by the provincial government. “Smuggling of cattle is in full swing as Eidul Azha is near. The illegal trade is being carried out openly with complete impunity. The prices of meat will go higher if serious efforts are not made to prevent this illegal smuggling.”

A senior journalist, commenting on the issue, said he witnessed officials deployed at the border taking a bribe. “A single truck driver pays Rs 30,000 to personnel concerned,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2011.