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Baloch gas contract for state-run firm

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Province is trouble-torn over alleged neglect

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday granted Petroleum Exploration Licence to the state run Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) in the trouble torn Balochistan province.

According to an official statement here, exploration would cover 2,104,69 sq. km. in districts Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Musa Khail Bazar, Barkhan and Loralai of the province.

Some of these districts particularly Dera Bugti and Kohlu have been the battle ground between the Baloch nationalists and the federal government for almost two years.

The nationalists are up in arms over the alleged neglect of the province and excesses by the para-military and military forces.

The statement said the PPL intends to make an investment of over $ 15.63 million in the Barkhan block. The company will carry out geological fieldwork, geological and geophysical studies, 200 km 2D seismic data acquisition and drilling of three exploratory wells during phase-1 of the initial period of three years of the Exploration Licence.

The company is the producer of gas from Sui, Mazarani and Kandkot Mining Leases, the largest gas fields in Pakistan. They are also producing gas, oil and LPG from Adhi field.

Camps of outlaws

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Mohammad Shoaib Nausherwani has claimed that many camps of outlaws have been eliminated during paramilitary forces' operation in different regions of Kohlu district and action was in progress against the terrorist network.

He told reporters in Quetta, capital of Balochistan, that the Government was determined to destroy the terrorist network for continuing smooth development process to bring this backward province with other developed regions.

"Paramilitary forces have eliminated outlaws' camps up to some extent," he said, and maintained that the Government had decided to restore the writ of law and it would take all possible steps in this regard.

Mr. Nausherwani said anti-development elements could not stop the Government from fulfilling its responsibilities for the development of the province.

He said the Government had launched various mega projects and other schemes for the uplift of this backward province but some elements were opposing the move.

He alleged that criminal elements through terrorist activities were damaging power and gas installations and were involved in firing rockets and exploding bombs in different regions of Balochistan.

Mr. Nausherwani said they also fired rockets during the President's visit to Kohlu last week. They also targeted the helicopter of Inspector General Frontier Corps, resulting in an IG and DIG being injured, who were headed towards Quetta from Kohlu.

He said in view of these incidents and the deteriorating law and order, the Government had decided to control terrorist activities and eliminate the network of terrorists.

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