KOHAT: A jirga led by MPA Malik Amjid Afridi here on Monday decided to keep work suspended on the two rigs of Hungarian exploration company in Gandiali and Taulanj areas until the firm signed an agreement with the locals for provision of free natural gas to the villages.

The drilling and pumping at the wells has been stopped for last 15 days following protests by the local people, demanding gas supply.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afridi asserted that the locals were ready to go to jail for getting their due right.

He said the oil companies in Shakardarra area of Kohat and Karak were providing free gas to the localities falling within five kilometers radius of the wells, and that same rule should be applied in Gandiali and Taulanj villages.

Addressing the jirga, tehsil councillor Fazle Rabbi, general councillor Haji Arif and naib nazim Jannat Mir warned the company not to restart work on its rigs, otherwise, the people would forcibly stop it.

A representative from the MOL company informed MPA Afridi that he was in contact with the firm’s high-ups in Islamabad to sign an agreement with the locals for free supply of gas to their villages.

KURRAM PEACE: Nifaz-i-Fiqah Jafria, Pakistan central secretary general Allama Syed Shujaat Ali Bokhari has demanded transfer of Kurram Agency’s administrative control to paramilitary force to help stop infiltration of terrorists into the tribal region from Afghanistan.

Addressing a press conference at Sher Kot on Monday, he said the federal government should construct a boundary wall between the tribal territory and Afghanistan and ensure effective border management.

He also demanded rehabilitation of all shrines and Imambargahs in the country.

In a statement issued later in the day, he asked for representation of Shia scholars in the Islamic Ideology Council, Ruete Hilal Committee, Federal Shariat Court and other forums.

Maulna Bokahri said the government was adopting delaying tactics in the merger of Fata with KP and provision of basic facilities to the tribesmen.

He lamented that leaders of peaceful groups were being put under the Fourth Schedule and punished for none of their crimes.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2017