Balochistan’s wealth: Security plan for exploration firms

Plan to aid national and international firms to help meet Pakistan's future energy needs.

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has prepared a security plan for national and international firms so they can begin exploration of natural resources in order to meet Pakistan’s future energy needs.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said in the first phase, 10 sites, where law and order situation is better compared to other parts of Balochistan, have been selected for exploration.

Durrani said the provincial government will provide foolproof security to the companies. “Personnel of Frontier Corps, police and Balochistan Levies will be deployed in these areas during the exploration,” he said.

The decision to involve more firms in the process of exploring gas and oil was taken during a meeting led by Chief Minister Nawab Raisani last week. Participants also decided that local tribal elders will also be taken on board while making any exploration agreement.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2^nd, 2011.