DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Awami National Party (ANP) President Senator Aimal Wali Khan has criticised the reported laying of a gas pipeline from the Kot Palak gas field in Darazandha Dera Ismail Khan to Punjab, alleging that the project ignores the constitutional rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the province’s natural resources.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Khan said gas and oil were being extracted from Darazandha in D.I. Khan, but the pipeline was being laid towards Punjab instead of first meeting the needs of the local population. He termed the move unacceptable and alleged that both the federal and provincial governments were jointly violating the constitutional rights of the province.
He claimed that although Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced around 500 million cubic feet of gas daily, it received only about 150 million cubic feet for its own consumption. He alleged that supplying gas from D.I. Khan to Punjab while many parts of KP continued to face shortages that were contrary to constitutional principles and deprived local communities of their rightful share.
The ANP chief said the province generated more gas and electricity than its domestic requirements, yet households and industries in the province continued to face shortages, resulting in factory closures, declining investment and rising unemployment. He contrasted the situation with Punjab, where, he alleged, gas and electricity supplies to domestic consumers and industries remained uninterrupted despite lower production.
Mr Khan also accused the provincial government of facilitating the exploitation of the province’s natural resources and alleged that both the federal and provincial governments were increasing the deprivation of KP.
He demanded immediate gas supply to residents of Kot Palak, Darazandha and other oil- and gas-producing areas in accordance with the Constitution, consultation with local communities before undertaking such projects, and transparent payment of royalty and other financial dues.
Mr Khan said the ANP would continue to raise its voice through political, constitutional and democratic forums for what it described as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s constitutional and economic rights over its natural resources.
