Balochistan Traders Demand Probe Into Lakpass Warehouse Fire

Business and transport sector representatives in Balochistan on Thursday called for a comprehensive high-level inquiry into the large-scale fire that destroyed the Lakpass Customs post warehouse near Quetta earlier this week, alleging that the incident may have been intentionally orchestrated to conceal theft and irregularities involving confiscated goods.

During a joint press briefing held in Quetta, trade leaders asserted that the commercial community incurred losses estimated at approximately ₨9 billion as a result of the blaze, which engulfed the customs warehouse located in the Luk Pass area of Mastung District on Sunday and reportedly left at least 43 individuals injured.

Abdul Rahim Kakar, President of the Central Anjuman-i-Tajran, stated that the fire “could not be accidental” and alleged that the incident formed part of a broader conspiracy aimed at concealing the theft of seized merchandise stored at the facility. He further demanded registration of a formal FIR against those responsible and called for immediate financial compensation for affected traders and business owners.

Additional business representatives, including Mir Nawab Mengal and Haji Malik Shah Jamaldini, also raised concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. They alleged that certain valuable consignments may have been removed from the warehouse prior to the outbreak of the fire.

Authorities have not yet issued an official response to the allegations raised by the business community.

Earlier statements from rescue officials indicated that the intensity of the fire increased significantly due to the presence of LPG cylinders, fuel reserves, and other hazardous chemical materials stored within the warehouse premises.