DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to pursue the federal government at every constitutional and legal forum for recovery of Rs27 billion in outstanding Net Hydel Profit (NHP) dues and protection of the province’s rights over its natural resources.
The decision was taken at the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Energy and Power, comprising provincial ministers and members of the National and Provincial Assemblies. The meeting was chaired by Provincial Minister for Energy and Power Nazir Ahmad Abbasi, said a handout.
The statement said that the meeting was attended by MNAs Sher Ali Arbab, Ali Asghar Khan and Dr Amjad Ali Khan, MPAs Ahmed Karim Kundi and Asif Khan, and Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed.
The participants agreed to raise the issue of provincial rights in the Senate, National Assembly and other relevant forums, setting aside political differences. They also pledged to jointly pursue the province’s constitutional rights relating to its energy and natural resources.
Giving a briefing on the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO), the energy secretary said 10 PEDO projects were currently generating 224 megawatts of electricity and earning more than Rs6 billion annually for the province.
He said a 40-kilometre transmission line was being constructed from Matiltan in Swat to Bahrain. The Energy Department has also established the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transmission and Grid System Company (KT&GSC) to facilitate electricity transmission, while a provincial regulatory body on the pattern of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) was being established to determine electricity tariffs.
Mr Nisar said the federal government had greater control over the province’s oil and gas reserves despite constitutional provisions safeguarding the rights of the producing province.
He referred to Article 157 of the Constitution, saying the province where oil and gas were produced had the first right to their use. He said KP was currently producing 500 to 550 cubic feet of gas daily against its own requirement of around 150 cubic feet, which, he claimed, was still not being met.
He said work was also under way on an oil and gas project in the Miran Block, where the province had a 51 per cent share.
The secretary expressed optimism that proper implementation of constitutional and legal provisions concerning hydropower, oil and gas could significantly strengthen the provincial economy over the next six to seven years.
The lawmakers supported further strengthening the advisory committee and agreed to continue their joint efforts for securing the province’s constitutional and financial rights.
Mr Abbasi said KP was rich in oil, gas and hydropower resources and that their proper utilisation could transform the provincial economy.
“Now is the time to speak for our rights on the basis of equality at every forum, every jirga and every front,” he said.
He said the provincial government would practically pursue autonomy and recovery of its legitimate dues from the federal government.
The minister also raised concerns over security problems faced by oil and gas exploration companies operating in the province. He said that if security agencies were unable to provide adequate protection, the provincial government could consider recruiting local people for a dedicated security force.
He also urged members of the committee to help attract investment for development of the province’s energy sector.
