In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s tribal district in Kurram, gasoline is sold at an alarming speed of RS1200 per day. Liters due to the long -term closure of roads, according to media reports.

Since November 2024, the security situation in the area has led to blocking land routes, resulting in limited vehicle movement and lack of significant goods, including food and oil products.

Local residents report that petrol pump owners charge arbitrary prices for gasoline and drivers are limited to buying a maximum of 5 to 10 liters at a time.

According to Syed Ikhlaq Hussain, chairman of the top Kurram Qabad Shah Khel, “Two days ago the price of gasoline was RS1000 per liter, but from last night the price has risen to RS1200 per liter.”

He also noted that although gasoline is available in small quantities, diesel is completely inaccessible in the market. Local dealer Nawab Ali explained that since November oil tankers have not delivered fuel to the area due to the worsening security situation.

“After the breakdown of law and order, road access was limited, but after negotiations with Jirga (Tribal Council), some vehicles have begun to arrive in convoys,” he said. However, Ali added that while food supplies are arriving, oil tankers have not gained access to the region.

Ali also claimed that heavy bribes are required at the Taal checkpoint, which resulted in significant financial losses for the drivers. “There is a deficiency of gasoline for vehicles leaving Kurram, leading to overcrowding at gas stations,” he said.

Yellow Nawaz Afridi, President of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Petroleum Association, informed that local dealers in Kurram have a limited number of vehicles, and owners of oil tankers from nearby districts are unwilling to send their trucks to Kurram.

“Due to fear of attacks on the convoys in Kurram, oil tankers do not enter the district, leading to a fuel deficiency,” Afridi explained. He assured that the local petroleum association officials are in contact and the fuel question will be resolved soon.

In response, district management officials stated that efforts are being made to tackle gasoline deficiency. Discussions have been held with oil tank dealers and petrol pump owners, and security arrangements will be made to ensure that oil tankers reach parachinar, the main city of Kurram.

It is relevant to note that in November 2024 a gun attack on a convoy traveling from Kurram to Peshawar, to a tribal conflict in which he abolished Kurram’s relations with other districts.