Logic: Disrupt Internet, Lose Billions; But Don’t Mess With Iranian Oil
While scrolling through my YouTube recommendations, I stumbled upon a video where DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif addressed a question that had always intrigued me: How come smuggling still occurs across Pakistan’s borders, even with the Army deployed to guard them? This was the answer I’d been seeking for years. So, driven by curiosity, I immediately watched the video.
Mr. Sharif’s response covered a variety of issues and facts and thus provided an overall reasonable explanation. However, the section addressing the inflow of Iranian oil into the country was less convincing and, in fact, generated further questions.
In summarizing this part of his response, he explained that the local economy in the areas of Balochistan along the Iranian border relies heavily on cross-border trade. So, completely sealing the border and stopping all inflows into Pakistan would have severe consequences for the region. He stressed that until the state provides the necessary resources to support the local economy, some level of this trade must continue. At the same time, however, he noted that the Army and Frontier Corps are actively working to reduce the volume of oil entering from Iran, citing figures from a relevant report.
