GWADAR – Authorities in the Gwadar district have imposed an immediate ban on Zamyad-type pickup trucks and similar vehicles transporting Iranian oil, aiming to clamp down on rampant fuel smuggling from the Iran border. The official directive, issued by the district administration, instructs law enforcement to intercept and confiscate such vehicles attempting entry via the Jiwani–Paanwaan corridor. DAWN reported.
The notification specifically targets Zamyad trucks, which are widely used in the informal fuel trade, and warns of legal action against violators. Police, Pakistan Coast Guard, and Frontier Corps have been ordered to enforce the ban with immediate effect.
What Are Zamyad Trucks?
Zamyad trucks are Iranian-made light commercial vehicles, widely used across Balochistan for transporting oil drums and goods due to their durability and load capacity. Their presence in Pakistan has grown over the years, especially in informal cross-border trade. These trucks are often non-custom-paid and modified for fuel transport, making them a central player in the Iranian oil movement into coastal towns like Gwadar.
Interestingly, Zamyad officially made headlines in Pakistan by unveiling a new pickup truck model targeting the local market and we have covered its details in our blog.
Read more about the Zamyad pickup’s debut in Pakistan here.
Fuel Smuggling Costs National Exchequer Billions
The crackdown follows mounting pressure on authorities to address illegal fuel movement across the Pak-Iran border. A government inquiry in 2020 estimated the annual value of oil smuggling at over Rs. 250 billion. A more recent intelligence report (April 2024) placed daily smuggled volume at 10 million litres, resulting in over Rs. 227 billion in lost revenue annually.
This illegal trade thrives on the stark price difference between Pakistani and Iranian fuel. According to officials, fuel is moved by speedboats from Iran’s Sistan province via the Dasht River to Jiwani. From there, modified trucks and non-custom-paid pickups distribute it across Balochistan and beyond.
Details of the Ban
According to the district administration’s order:
- Zamyad-type pickups and similar vehicles are prohibited from transporting Iranian oil through the Jiwani–Paanwaan–Gwadar route
- Law enforcement agencies are empowered to intercept and confiscate violating vehicles.
- Drivers may face strict legal consequences, though the notification does not cite specific statutes.
- The ban cites “security and regulatory concerns,” without clarifying its duration.
Disruption to Local Livelihoods
For communities in Gwadar, Panjgur, and Turbat, this informal trade has long been a primary source of income. The ban is expected to severely impact hundreds of small-scale fuel transporters. Community leaders have warned of unrest if alternatives are not provided, urging the government to adopt a rehabilitation-first strategy.
During recent disruptions such as the Iran-Israel conflict, fuel shortages forced 60–70% of petrol pumps in border districts to shut down, underscoring the region’s reliance on this trade.
Wider Policy Push Against Smuggling
Federal and provincial governments have repeatedly pledged to curb oil smuggling, which fuels tax evasion and organized crime. Last year, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered enhanced enforcement in Balochistan. In August 2025, the National Assembly passed a bill mandating digital tracking of petroleum products from origin to retail sale, aiming to tighten oversight and reduce adulteration.
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