Pakistan Coast Guards seized 1.8 million litres of smuggled Iranian diesel worth Rs487 million in major operations across Balochistan. The crackdown comes amid rising action against fuel smuggling, gold rackets, extortion networks and hundi-hawala operators.
Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) have seized 1,764,615 litres of smuggled Iranian diesel during a series of intelligence-based operations across multiple parts of Balochistan.
According to PCG officials, the confiscated fuel — along with the vehicles used to transport it — carries an estimated value of Rs487.03 million. The operations were conducted in Uthal, Gwadar and Pasni road check posts, as well as through maritime routes. Of the total seized quantity, 1,746,615 litres were intercepted on land while 18,000 litres were recovered through sea operations.
Officials said the diesel was being smuggled from Balochistan to Karachi using trucks and oil tankers, all of which have now been taken into custody. Investigations are ongoing, and the PCG reiterated its commitment to curbing cross-border smuggling to protect the national economy.
This development comes amid a broader crackdown on organised crime in the province. At the 20th session of Balochistan’s Provincial Apex Committee, authorities approved a province-wide operation against extortion networks, gold smuggling groups, and illegal money transfer systems (hundi and hawala). Senior officials also expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the FIA Balochistan, directing the agency to enhance action against white-collar criminals and extortion rackets.
Earlier, on 28 September, Pakistan Customs Gadani foiled a major narcotics smuggling attempt, seizing 188 kilogrammes of hashish valued at Rs552.44 million.
In October, Customs Enforcement Karachi intercepted three diesel-laden launches attempting to smuggle Iranian high-speed diesel into Pakistan via Balochistan’s maritime borders — a seizure officials described as the agency’s largest petroleum-related operation to date.
