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Iran-Israel Conflict Disrupts Vital Fuel and Food Supplies to Balochistan

The conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US has severely disrupted the cross-border trade upon which Pakistan's Balochistan province heavily depends for cheaper fuel and food. Iranian restrictions and border closures have nearly halted the flow of essential goods, causing sharp price increases and emerging shortages in border areas. Prices for items like LPG gas have doubled, while diesel and cooking oil have risen 60-70%, crippling local economies including Gwadar's fishing industry. The crisis stems from the wider West Asian conflict initiated by US-Israel strikes on Iran, which provoked retaliatory attacks.

Key Points: Iran-Israel War Disrupts Balochistan Food, Fuel Supplies

  • Border closure halts Iranian imports
  • Food prices surge 30-40% in coastal areas
  • Fuel costs double, hitting fishing industry
  • Balochistan relies heavily on Iranian goods
  • US-Israel strikes on Iran triggered the crisis
3 min read

Fuel and food supplies to Balochistan face disruption due to Israel-Iran conflict

Pakistan's Balochistan faces shortages and price hikes as border trade with Iran halts due to the Iran-Israel-US conflict, impacting essential supplies.

"Since the war began, border trade has almost stopped. - Ishaq Roshan Dashti"

Quetta, March 8

Fuel and food supplies to several parts of Pakistan's Balochistan have been disrupted due to the conflict between Iran, Israel and the US, raising prices and sparking fears of shortages in border areas, local media reported.

Pakistan's regions along the border with Iran, especially Makran and Rakshana areas, including Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Chagai and Washuk, rely heavily on Iranian goods, which are cheaper and easily available than supplies from other parts of Pakistan, The Balochistan Post reported.

Local traders said that the closure of the border and restrictions on exports from Iran have minimised the flow of essential goods into the region.

Makran Traders Alliance President Ishaq Roshan Dashti said nearly 80 per cent of fuel and food consumed in border areas relies on Iran.

He said Iranian commodities had already become more expensive following Iran's imposition of over 30 per cent tax on the export of food items after protests erupted earlier this year.

"Since the war began, border trade has almost stopped," Dashti said, adding that the Iranian government has imposed a complete ban on the export of food items, causing disruption of supplies of flour, cooking oil, milk, yoghurt, LPG gas, petrol, and diesel.

Traders said shortages have started to emerge in local markets, while those who have stock till now are selling products at higher rates.

Traders have said that prices of food items have increased by 30 per cent to 40 per cent in coastal districts, including Gwadar, Jiwani, Pasni, and Ormara.

Mashkel is also experiencing a similar situation. Local trader Khuda Dad said Mashkel has historically relied on Iranian products as it does not have proper road connectivity with other regions of Pakistan. He said the prices of the majority of goods have increased sharply over the past week.

He said the price of LPG gas doubled to around Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 600 per kg while the rate of diesel and cooking oil rose by 60 per cent to 70 per cent, The Balochistan Post reported.

Increasing fuel prices are also impacting the fishing industry in Gwadar, where a large number of people depend on this sector for their livelihoods.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia started after joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, aimed at degrading Tehran's missile capabilities and broader military infrastructure.

The opening wave of the operation killed senior figures in the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a sweeping response from Iran in the form of drone and missile attacks targeting US assets, regional capitals and allied forces across West Asia.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very sad to hear. The fishing industry in Gwadar getting hit is terrible. These are ordinary people just trying to earn a living, caught in a conflict they have nothing to do with. 😔 The price hikes for LPG and diesel are brutal for daily life.
R
Rohit P
This shows the risk of over-reliance on a single neighbor for critical supplies. Pakistan needs to develop its own internal supply chains and infrastructure, especially road connectivity to remote areas like Mashkel. Easier said than done, but this crisis highlights the need.
S
Sarah B
From an outsider's perspective, it's heartbreaking. Food and fuel are basic necessities. A 30-40% price increase is unsustainable for families. The international community should be looking at humanitarian corridors for essential goods, regardless of politics.
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Vikram M
While the situation is bad, let's also be honest. This heavy reliance on Iranian goods, while cheaper, also bypasses Pakistan's own domestic markets and taxes. Maybe this disruption, though painful, will force a re-evaluation of long-term trade and infrastructure policy for the region.
K
Kavya N
Feel so bad for the people in Makran and Rakshana. Flour, cooking oil, milk – these are daily essentials. When borders close, it's always the common man who suffers the most. Hope the authorities can arrange alternate supplies quickly. 🤲

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