Shahzain Bugti accuses OGDC of illegal drilling

Baloch­istan chief of Jamhoo­ri Watan Party says OGDC explor­ing potent­ial oil and gas reserv­es in the provin­ce.

QUETTA:

The Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) is illegally drilling in the Zen Koh area in Dera Bugti and exploring potential oil and gas reserves, Balochistan chief of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) Nawabzada Shahzain Bugti said at a press conference on Saturday.

He accused the Frontier Corps and the OGDC of trying to “usurp resources, including oil and gas deposits on my family lands”.

“They have started drilling without seeking any permission, which is condemnable. Such acts on the part of the government and its agencies are intolerable,” the JWP provincial chief said.

He called for an immediate halt to the “illegal and arbitrary drilling” and said “otherwise the Bugti tribe will mount a strong reaction against this cruel usurpation by the security force and the (oil and gas) company”, adding that the situation may “disturb the peace and security situation in the province”.

“We will not allow anyone to loot and exploit our resources,” Bugti asserted. He said he would refer the matter to the Balochistan High Court and request it for a favourable verdict. “This illegal act is forcing the Bugti family to review its previous agreement with OGDC…they (the company) can be driven out of all Bugti territory,” he warned.

Bugti added that the military college in Sui is in the interest of the Baloch people. But the government should end the military operation, prevent secret agencies from interfering in provincial matters and ensure the safe recovery of all Baloch missing persons,he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2011.