In southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan, years of drought and economic hardship have pushed many villagers toward fuel carrying, a dangerous cross-border trade along routes leading to Pakistan. In a region where farming and animal husbandry have long been the main livelihoods, some men and boys now transport fuel by motorbike across long desert roads and rocky border paths in search of income.
Many riders travel for hours from cities such as Khash, Iranshahr, and Mehrestan to reach Saravan and the border areas, carrying up to 180 liters of fuel on their bikes. The work is physically demanding and often deadly, with falls on steep and impassable terrain causing serious injuries and deaths, while a full round trip can bring in about 10 dollars and is often possible only twice a week.
