In a significant breakthrough for fuel-starved districts of South Balochistan, Pakistani and Iranian officials have agreed to relocate fuel supply operations to a designated buffer zone along the shared border. The move is expected to alleviate the region’s critical petrol and diesel shortage.
The agreement comes after weeks of negotiation led by Deputy Commissioner Kech, Bashir Ahmed Baloch, whose diplomatic efforts helped resolve a longstanding deadlock caused by security concerns and border management issues.
Due to poor infrastructure and the remote nature of the region, Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has historically been unable to maintain consistent fuel delivery to districts bordering Iran. For decades, these areas have relied on controlled imports from Iran, regulated through permits issued by federal and provincial authorities.
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However, the situation worsened recently when the Abdowi border crossing was closed amid fears over the unsafe movement of fuel-carrying vehicles and unauthorized entry into Iranian territory. To resolve the issue, Pakistani officials proposed relocating the fuel transfer point to a secure site within the buffer zone—an idea initially rejected by Iranian authorities.
After persistent dialogue and coordination led by DC Bashir Ahmed Baloch, Iranian officials have now agreed to the proposed arrangement. As a result, 74 vehicles have been granted clearance to transport fuel, with each vehicle allowed to carry up to 2,000 liters.
The decision marks a turning point in cross-border cooperation and is expected to bring much-needed relief to residents and businesses across the Makran division, who have been grappling with a prolonged fuel crisis.
Local authorities have hailed the development as a win for diplomacy and regional coordination. Observers note that the agreement could serve as a model for future cross-border logistics and trade facilitation between the two neighboring countries.
