CHAGAI: Member of the National Assembly and Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) leader Mir Mohammad Hashim Notezai has condemned the crackdown on smuggling of Iranian petrol and diesel by the provincial government, saying it is the only source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of families living in undeveloped and far-flung border areas of Balochistan.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, Mr Notezai said most of the people in these border areas were earning livelihood from this business as there had been no factory and other major sources of income. Besides, he alleged, the government had always ignored these areas, leaving the residents fending for themselves.

“If the business related to Iranian fuel is completely banned the consequences may become worst as it will make thousands of youths unemployed,” he warned, adding that the BNP-M stood by the affected people and would highlight their miseries at every forum.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2021