DADU, Dec 9: A large number of villagers and political activists held a demonstration outside the press club in Johi on Tuesday to protest against a multinational oil and gas company, the BHP.

The protesters were led by Johi taluka People’s Party Parliamentarians president Basheer Ahmed Thaheem, and social workers, Ahmed Khan Madhosh and Mehboob Babbur.

Speaking to the demonstrators, Mr Ahmed said that the BHP was exploring gas and oil at three fields in Johi taluka but had appointed people from Punjab, Balochistan and NWFP.

He said that many local skilled and trained persons contacted the BHP management for jobs but they were denied the same.

He deplored that the oil company had not carried out any development work in the taluka.

Mr Babbur warned that if jobs were not provided to the local people and development work was not initiated in the area by the BHP, they would continue their struggle.

Later, a group of the protesters observed a token hunger strike outside the press club.

BHP VERSION: When contacted, the community and security adviser of the BHP, Col Zulfiqar Ali Khan, claimed that the company had appointed 95 local people.