SUKKUR, Sept 20: A number of NGOs and notables of Sukkur and Ghotki have criticized the change of venue by the Environmental Protection Agency, Sindh, of the public hearing in regard to the land allotted by the federal government to Patronas Carigali for gas exploration.

The venue has been changed to the EPA Sindh Headquarter, Korangi, Karachi. However, the scheduled date of Sept 20 remains unchanged. The decision was communicated by the local director of EPA, Waqar Phulpoto, on Friday to more than 42 participants.

The NGOs told journalists that the discussion was primarily related to gas exploration work of the multi-national Patronas in Mubarak Block, Ghotki district, which is encircled by a large wildlife sanctuary. They said the abrupt change of venue was ill-intended.— Correspondent