Pakistan

Shahzain Bugti accuses OGDC of illegal drilling

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

Shezad Baloch April 24, 2011

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.

COMMENTS (12)

Iqbal Arian | 12 years ago | Reply @Lal Shahbaz There is no such thing as Baloch nation. Their are 5-6 languages in Balochistan for which not even dozen professors are available. The misguided youth is playing in the hands of Indian goons. Every body in this region should get themselves recognized as Muslims who follows last messenger Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (May peace be upon him). Pakistan is a God creation and their is big objective behind Pakistan creation. What would happen to a separate Balochistan? think it could be a colony of Iran the way Sistan is. Hence Balochistan will remain part of Pakistan. Secondly if there are excesses then they are every where in Pakistan. Baloch 5 - 6 nationalities are no exception.

Muhammad | 13 years ago | Reply He gets enough money from the Indians. Why does he want more cash from OGDC now. Everyone knows how much money they used to get back in the day - when half of us didn't even know what real wealth was. These guys are goons. I feel bad for their women.

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Abid | 13 years ago | Reply Twenty bucks says the land isn't even legally his own. Who is this guy anyway?

Lal Shahbaz | 13 years ago | Reply @A Raja: What ever is discovered or comes out from rest of Pakistan is not our Head ache but yes What ever is discovered in Balochistan is solely the wealth of the Baloch Nation, you people keep forgetting that Pakistan and Balochistan are two seperate entities. 60 years down the lane and still pakistan doesnt understand this.

A Raja | 13 years ago | Reply Natural resources found in any part of PAKISTAN , whether it is govt.land or PRIVATE land should be the property of the state ( PAKISTAN) and no person or individual or a family should have rights on it. This was the case when oil was first discovered in LOS ANGELES in USA,and GOVT. acquired all the rights to drill that oil and even this day it is happening and all that oil from the backyards of people is being drilled by the state. So should happen in Pakistan also. These BUGTI families are eating NAMAK of pakistan and living on lavish royalties from sui gas and still complaining all the time and are involved in ANTI STATE activities. Its about time that state should put the foot down and acquire these lands and use the wealth for the country and its progress.All or most of the money should be spent on improving the social structure. * PAKISTAN ** Love it or LEAVE IT !!!!!!!!

Waqas | 13 years ago | Reply Besides even Sui did not belong to Bugtis. At the time of drilling in Sui in 1950s there were no Bugti tribes their. They only came when gas was discovered. If you see the history Bugtis kept their people ignorant and uneducated. Why Noor Jehan Panezai allowed drilling free of cost on her land and why bugti is stopping drilling on a state land which is being auctioned to OGDC. There is 'accounting head' in each year PPL and OGDC account statements where a certain %age is given to these people as 'royalty' besides many of their followers are employed 'who simply take money'. Please see these aspects.

Amir | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan using water illeagaly which comes from Kashmir. Kashmir is my forefathers land. And Pakistan is violating the common cistizen right by usinf thier Family resources ha..ha.ha..ha Bughti Family is not accustomed of doing work and well habitant of sit-and-eat. Dear Bugti this land does not belong to you. This belong to those poor Balochis remain victimised your attrocities and oppressions. You never let them think, educate and work at their own. This is the time not to revise your $$$ rate but kick you out of this holly land.

NA | 13 years ago | Reply Since past times, these Bugties were receiving huge sums from OGDCL as royalties and not a single penny of this royalty has been spent on common Bugti man. It seems now, the rate needed to be revised.

Salman Orangiwala | 13 years ago | Reply Once again we are using force to subjugate Balochistan . Look at the cases of missing persons , their families are running from pillar to post , nowhere to be heard . We call ourselves Muslim and Pakistani . Shame on us . What FC is doing in Balochistan ,will result in somehting which is not fruitful for this country .

Pakistan Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Stop treating Balochistan as colony of Pakistan!!!

Noble Tufail | 13 years ago | Reply If the land belongs to shazian. then he is 100%right. OGDC should have followed the lines of agreement with Shazain and his family. Bugti family can and should not be denied thier civiil rights that our constitution ensures for every citizen.

salim | 13 years ago | Reply This stance is not surprising!

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