PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday said as his government had prioritised the development of oil and gas producing districts, a three-tier consultative framework had been formulated to fulfil the demands of people from North Waziristan tribal district.

He said this while chairing a meeting of the provincial joint commission on matters regarding the recently discovered petroleum and gas resources in North Waziristan district.

The commission was constituted to protect rights of the local population with regard to the revenue and royalty of the recently discovered natural resources in North Waziristan by ensuring fair and just disbursement and utilisation of development funds, according to an official statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

It added that the commission would also formulate long-term policies and strategies to ensure that the recently discovered natural resources are utilised in the best interests of the country, region, and local population, acting as a liaison among committees at district and tehsil level, provincial and federal governments, and other stakeholders.

Gandapur reviews issues about resources recently found in North Waziristan

During the meeting, CM Gandapur said that gas production would generate Rs5 billion.

“Commencement of gas production from North Waziristan will yield an annual royalty of Rs5 billion for the province. Fifteen per cent of this royalty will be earmarked for the development of the producing district,” he said.

Mr Gandapur said that royalties and other initiatives would only be realised if progress was made collaboratively and production began.

He urged the commission to swiftly move forward under the established guidelines and said district and tehsil level committees should be finalised without delay.

“The committees must include elected local representatives, community elders, and district administration officials,” he said.

The chief minister said the commission should come up with viable recommendations in the next 15 days by conducting extensive consultation with the local community through the mentioned committees.

He said the provincial government was committed to fulfilling the legitimate and legal demands of the local population, while matters involving the federal government would be raised with the relevant federal authorities.

“Unnecessary delays in such projects are in the interest of neither the nation nor the local communities,” he said, stressing the need for timely solutions to drive the region toward development.

Mr Gandapur said delays in development projects’ completion also discouraged investment.

“We are striving to foster a conducive environment attracting investors to the province,” he said.

The chief minister said practical steps were under way to provide employment opportunities for the youth of the merged districts and directed Tevta officials to immediately establish a technical and vocational training center in a suitable building already available in North Waziristan in order to equip local youth with market-based skills and provide them interest-free loans under the approved schemes of the provincial government.

He said that the input of local leaders would be included in development projects and expressed his commitment to see underdeveloped districts like North Waziristan thrive and assured that all necessary measures would be taken to achieve this goal.

The meeting was attended by North Waziristan MNAs and MPAs, officials of energy department and relevant divisional administration, representatives of 11 Corps, SNGPL, Mari Petroleum Company and other relevant institutions.

Senior officials of the petroleum ministry were also in attendance via video link.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2024