The bikers battling extreme heat and armed conflict to smuggle Iranian fuel to Pakistan

He is among 2.4 million people in Balochistan's population of about 15 millionestimated to be involved in fuel smuggling between Iran and Pakistan, according to the leaked Pakistani intelligence report seen by Nikkei Asia.

Fuel smuggling is illegal in Pakistan, with punishments ranging from fines and vehicle seizures in smaller cases to prison sentences for larger operations.

But Fida Hussain Dashti, former president of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Balochistan, argues that it is vital for the region's economy because there are so few opportunities for work.

Bordering Iran to the west and Afghanistan to the north, Balochistan covers around 44% of Pakistan's landmass but has just 6% of its population.

Although it is rich in mineral resources, it has poverty levels similar to some of the poorest parts of the world, which has been a source of anger in the region.

"People are helpless and have no other way," says Dashti, who argues that the Pakistani government should have done more to create employment opportunities in the region.

"Even a student who graduates with an MA degree ends up joining this oil business."

Irfan, whose name we have also changed for his safety, says there's no other work he can do because of his disability.

After contracting polio, movement in one of his legs and one of his hands is severely limited.

He has also been smuggling for several months, and transports diesel because it is safer than petrol and less likely to ignite.

"I can't carry petrol because what if it catches fire? If I can't stand up, I'll get badly burned," he says.

The politics behind smuggling operations are complicated - especially with Pakistan playing the role of mediator between Iran and the US as they seek to bring a permanent end to hostilities.

Pakistan has at various times cracked down on the illegal trade, only for smuggling levels to go up again.

It is hard to stop it completely because remote parts of the 900km border are difficult to police.

There's also an understanding in Pakistan's government that for many in Balochistan the work is a lifeline.

In addition, oil companies don't deliver fuel to some places in the region, deterred by transport costs, security issues and competition from cheaper smuggled products.

Iran blames the smuggling on criminal groups, who are able to buy fuel cheaply because the regime sells petrol and diesel at subsidised prices to Iranian citizens.

But Paddy Ginn, of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, which monitors illicit markets, says: "The main traffickers, we believe, are either part of or closely linked to IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps]" and that their aim is "of course to avoid sanctions that are imposed by the US".

He adds that he believes groups linked to the regime are now trying to smuggle more fuel to take advantage of rising prices caused by the war.

The BBC asked the Iranian government to comment on the allegation that it is involved in fuel smuggling. It did not respond.

Several smugglers have told the BBC that officials and security forces in Pakistan turn a blind eye in return for bribes.

Pakistan's government denies any of its departments or security forces are involved in fuel smuggling.

It says Pakistan's Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has directed law enforcement to crack down on fuel smuggling, and that security forces have seized fuel worth approximately 1.3 billion Pakistani rupees (almost $5m) in the last year.

Mazaar says the war has added to the costs of his work.

The price he pays for smuggled petrol has gone up, but the amount he sells it for has stayed the same.

After the costs of petrol, food and leasing his bike, he used to make 5,000 rupees (£13) a day, but this has fallen to 3,000 rupees - about twice as much as Pakistan's minimum wage.

"The war started and we were ruined," he says.

As Mazaar and his group of 11 motorbike riders leave the Mastung district in Balochistan to head towards his home, they're hit by a heat storm - a prolonged heatwave that includes dust storms.

Asked about the risks of injury and even death, Mazaar says: "I don't worry about it.

"I have to die one day anyway. I could die now. Who knows? That is Allah's decision, whether he lets me live or takes my life."