Transporters in Balochistan’s Dukki district have announced a protest by refusing to load coal trucks. The Truck Union claims that they have not received compensation for the eight trucks that were set on fire in Sanjwani. Additionally, the drivers affected by the incident have not been compensated. They warned that they would not load more coal onto the trucks until their demands were met. The Union also warned that if their grievances remain unaddressed, they will escalate protests across all provinces of Pakistan.
The trucks transporting coal from Balochistan to Punjab face significant risks, particularly from Baloch ‘pro-independence’ groups. These groups view the transportation of Balochistan’s natural resources as exploitation. Due to inadequate security, truck drivers have decided to take action.
In May of this year, unidentified attackers targeted a convoy of coal trucks in Dukki, opening fire and killing one driver while injuring three others. The attack occurred in Sanjawi, where the assailants set the trucks ablaze before fleeing the scene. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a ‘pro-independence’ group, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that their fighters had set six trucks on fire. The BLA issued a warning to those involved in transporting Balochistan’s resources outside the region, emphasizing that they would face consequences for their actions.