Industrial challenges: Labour union members threaten to self-immolate

Say oil refinery in Karak being shifted without their approval to Kohat

KARAK: Leaders of labour and trade unions in Karak have called a grand jirga in the district to discuss alleged shifting of Karak Oil Refinery to Khushal Garh, Kohat. The jirga will be held on December 25 at Ali Khel Chowk, Karak in which elders from all clans are invited. The aim of the jirga is to devise a strategy to protest against the relocation of the oil refinery from the district.

The decision was taken on Sunday at a meeting of labour and trade unions of the district. Leaders from United Workers Welfare Association Karak announced at the meeting they would “commit suicides by setting themselves on fire outside the CM House” if anything were to happen to the oil refinery there.

Naveed Khattak, the union president, in his address, said the political leaders of the district and elected representatives from Karak should clarify whether they agree with the decision to change the location of the refinery or not.



“Which political leader or elected representative gave his consent to the chief minister to shift the oil refinery from Karak?” Khattak asked, calling Karak politicians to clarify their positions. “Karak is the main district of the province that produces oil, generating billions in revenue for the country. The oil refinery’s installation in Karak is the sole right of the district,” Khattak said. He added there were reports that the CM signed documents ordering to shift the oil refinery to Khushal Garh, Kohat.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st,  2015.