January 26, 2003	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 22,1423

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QUETTA, Jan 25: Bugti chieftain and Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) president Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti has said that a fresh agreement is needed with all the gas companies and the government as the old agreements pertaining to exploitation of natural gas from Bugti area lapsed on Dec 31.

In a telephonic interview with Dawn on Saturday from his native town, Dera Bugti, he said that since the agreements had run out, the companies concerned and the government were getting gas unlawfully from Balochistan.

Mr Bugti said that government and all gas companies working in the Bugti area should sign an agreement with the Bugti tribe for a period of one year to exploit natural gas from four gasfields — Sui, Loti, Uch and Pirkoh.

“The gas reserves in the Bugti area are the property of the Baloch people and we own it. We are not ready to withdraw from ownership,” he said, and added that if people owning the gasfields were denied their just rights, they would definitely stand up and react.

Replying to a question about negotiations with the government and gas companies for fresh agreements, he said that no negotiations had been held so far and according to his information the gas companies had refused to pay outstanding dues to the Bugti tribe. They also informed the government that they would not make any deal with the Bugtis in the future and would purchase land for further exploration and exploitation of natural gas in the area.

Mr Bugti said: “Despite assurances and promise by the prime minister and the chief minister of Balochistan no progress was made in implementing the agreements and promises regarding giving the rights of local people.

Replying to a question about the running battle between Bugti and Mazari tribesmen, he said that it had been going on for the last many years.

“Two clans of the Bugti and Mazari tribes are involved in the new armed clashes,” he said.

He said that Mazari tribesmen did not allow the Bugtis to cross their area without receiving extortion money. Sometimes they snatched away the vehicles and money and other valuables.

He said that recent conflict started when Mazari tribesmen looted the Bugtis despite the fact that they were travelling in a convoy of Frontier Corps personnel.

Nawab Bugti alleged that Mazari tribesmen cut off the electric wires of around 250 poles in the Rajanpur area 10 days ago, disrupting power supply to Sui, Dera Bugti and other areas of the district. He said that after this, the Bugtis gave notice to their rivals that if power supply was not restored, then gas supply to Punjab would be suspended.

He said the gas pipeline burst in Rajanpur area during an armed clash.

Responding to a question about resolving the conflict, the JWP chief said that this issue could not be settled through lip-service. Time was needed to let tempers cool down and initiate negotiations.