QUETTA: Fuel stations were closed across Balochistan on Saturday on a strike call given by the Balochistan Petroleum Dealers Association (BPDA) in protest against a ‘raid’ by officials of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on the main oil depot in Quetta and the arrest of its in-charge.

According to sources, the FIA officials seized smuggled Iranian oil during the raid.

BPDA chairman Haji Wali Mohammad while talking to reporters claimed that the FIA officials had raided the depot without any reason. He said the smuggled Iranian diesel was recovered from a tanker which was outside the depot. He said after the raid workers of the depot closed it in protest and the BPDA endorsed their decision.

The closure caused a shortage of petroleum products in the province and created problems for people.

Non-availability of petroleum products at fuel stations in Quetta throughout the day also gave a boost to the sale of smuggled Iranian petrol and diesel which with an inflated price was being sold from Rs150 to Rs200 per litre.

Mr Mohammad said fuel stations in the province would remain closed till action is not taken against FIA officials involved in the raid.

The sources said the government had so far not taken any action to end the strike.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2017