Oil, gas reserves in N Waziristan: KP govt forms body to protect rights of locals

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has constituted a provincial joint commission to ensure the fair distribution of development funds from royalties generated through the recently discovered petroleum and gas deposits in North Waziristan.

An official communique said this commission would work to protect the rights of the local population with regard to the revenue/royalty of the recently discovered natural reserves.

A formal notification has been issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to this end. According to the notification, the 13-member commission consists of Advisor to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, MNA Mufti Misbahuddin, MPA Naik Muhammad Khan and MPA Muhammad Iqbal.

Other members of the commission include the secretary energy and Power Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, additional secretary Ministry of Petroleum Islamabad, officials from Mari Petroleum Company, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, RPO Bannu and a representative of 11 Corps.

Commissioner Bannu will also be member and convener of the commission.

The commission will formulate a long-term policy to ensure that the recently discovered natural resources are utilized in the best interests of the country, region, and local population, and will act as a liaison amongst the local population, provincial and federal governments, and other stakeholders in this regard.

The notification further stated that the commission would ensure the protection of the legitimate rights of the local population in line with government policy and, in consultation with local elders, will guarantee the supply of gas from Shewa to Daudkhel.

The chief minister has also decided to establish committees at the district and tehsil levels as a three-tier consultative framework, whose members will be notified in consultation with local elders and elected public representatives of the area.

The provincial joint commission, in consultation with the district and tehsil committees, will finalize long-term policies for the utilization of the revenues of these natural resources.

In a statement issued in this regard, the chief minister said that the provincial government will ensure the fair and just distribution of the resources and development funds generated from the royalties of Petroleum and gas adding that the Provincial Joint Commission and committees at the district and tehsil levels are being established to achieve this end.

He added that this three-tier consultative framework will ensure the protection of the local population’s rights in the revenue generated from these natural resources and will contribute to regional welfare and development.