Balochistan transporters announce strike over LEAs actions, leading to a possible wheat crisis

QUETTA (6 AM Report) : Balochistan is once again moving towards an artificial wheat crisis due to an alleged unnecessary action by Customs, FC, Levies, and Police, which has led to the stoppage of the official and non-official loading of wheat in the province. Transporters have announced a strike after the authorities took custody of trucks carrying wheat on behalf of Customs.

Despite the transporters facing difficulties, they have refused to load government and non-government wheat until the problems are resolved.

The announcement of the strike has put at risk the purchase of 17,000 sacks of wheat from Naseerabad Division, with a target of buying one million sacks of wheat from the division.

The Food Department of Balochistan has allocated a huge amount of six billion rupees for the purchase of wheat, which has also been increased in support price. However, the transporters are facing financial difficulties due to the harassment of authorities.

Sources indicate that the wheat had to be transported from Jhal Magsi to Quetta through Khuzdar due to damaged roads, but trucks carrying wheat were stopped in Khuzdar.

It was learnt that despite showing necessary documents to the customs and FC authorities, the trucks were not allegedly allowed to go to Quetta, raising concerns that the wheat may be spoiled due to rains.

The Pakistan Flour Mills Association has said that the officials of the Food Department have contacted the customs and FC authorities, but their non-cooperation has seriously affected the wheat procurement campaign, which may lead to an artificial production of wheat across the province.