Riaz Baloch:
DALBANDIN: Tribal elders met Inspector General Frontier Corps (IG FC) South, Major General Bilal Sarfraz Khan, in Dalbandin to discuss border trade, smuggling issues, and local development. The IG FC highlighted Chagai district’s peaceful nature and the Frontier Corps’ contributions to health, education, and sports.
Smuggling and Border Trade
Major General Bilal clarified that smuggling along the Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders cannot be considered legitimate trade. “District fuel consumption is 2 million liters, but 24 million liters were being smuggled nationwide,” he stated, emphasizing strict government regulations.
During the meeting, tribal elders, including former provincial minister Sakhi Mir Amanullah Khan Notezai, District Chairman Mir Abdul Wadood Khan Sanjrani, and other notable figures, requested leniency for border residents whose vehicles had been confiscated. They stressed that the livelihoods of many poor families depend on border trade.
Major General Bilal assured the elders of his efforts to release the seized vehicles but reiterated the importance of avoiding smuggling and seeking sustainable livelihoods.
Token System Misuse
He noted the misuse of the token system for border trade, where some households held multiple tokens, depriving rightful beneficiaries.
Tribal Elders Seek Leniency
Elders, including former Minister Sakhi Mir Amanullah Notezai, requested the release of seized vehicles, citing livelihoods dependent on border trade. The IG FC assured efforts to address their concerns while urging the community to focus on education and sustainable income sources.
Appreciation for FC’s Support
The meeting concluded with tribal elders thanking Major General Bilal Sarfraz Khan and Brigadier Sajjad Ali for their ongoing support and cooperation with Chagai district residents.
