KARAK: Four lawmakers from Kohat division have formed a pressure group to make efforts for release of oil and gas royalty pending with the provincial government for the last three years.

JUI-F MPA Mian Nisar Gul Kakakhel, a member of the group, told journalists here on Thursday that they met the federal petroleum secretary to get rights for the people of Kohat division.

He said that they formed oil and gas action committee comprising MPAs Malik Zafar Azam from district Karak and Amjad Afridi and retired Maj Shahdad from district Kohat. The committee will make efforts to get oil and gas royalty funds and production bonus released.

The lawmaker said that during the last three years, oil and gas funds amounting to Rs5.17 billion and production bonus of district Karak were not released by the provincial government.

Mr Gul alleged that the oil and gas companies working in the district were least bothered about the problems faced by the people. He said that the companies were interested only in extracting natural resources from the district.

The MPA that local people were ignored in provision of jobs in the oil and gas companies.

He alleged that heavy vehicles of the companies destroyed infrastructure of the district.

He said that the areas where the gas facility was available were facing low gas pressure issue. He said that the federal petroleum secretary assured the members of gas action committee that the problems of the people of the district would be resolved on priority basis.

ARREST: Police claimed to have arrested two persons involved in illegal business of Hundi.

According to a statement, a police party arrested the two persons identified as Noor Daraz and Mukhtiar Ali during a raid in Karak city. Police also recovered Rs3 million cash and a car from their possession.

Police also recovered two laptops and other gadgets used in the illegal business. FIRs were registered against the arrested persons.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2018