KARAK: An oil and gas action committee comprising four lawmakers of Kohat division has moved the Peshawar High Court, urging it to order the government to release the over Rs5 billion withheld oil and gas royalty funds so that projects of public welfare could be launched.

This was disclosed by MPA Mian Nisar Gul Kakakhel while briefing mediapersons here on Friday.

The lawmaker said the lawmakers, including himself, Malik Zafar Azam, Major retired Shah Dad and Amjad Afridi, had formed a joint group and an oil and gas action committee to safeguard the rights of the people of the division, which also includes Karak district.

Mr Kakakhel claimed the royalty funds had not been paid for the last three years. He said unity among lawmakers was a good omen and resolved to realise the rights of the people.

The lawmaker claimed the oil and gas companies working in Kohat division had ignored the local educated youths in the jobs.

DEPARTMENTS POOR PERFORMANCE: Members of Karak district council on Friday expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of the line departments, prompting district nazim Umer Daraz to form a committee to check their working.

The councillors in their speeches during the budget session claimed harsh loadshedding had paralysed routine life across the district. They also revealed that the buildings of basic health units were in extremely bad shape and sought special funds in the annual budget for refurbishing these units. The said majority of water supply schemes were dysfunctional.

On the complaints of the councilors, the district nazim formed a three-member committee to look into the matters of the line departments.

SHO SUSPENDED: Banda Daud Shah SHO Habib Khan has been suspended by DIG Mohammad Ijaz Khan for not lodging FIR against the owner of a factory of plaster of Paris on the complaint of SNGPL for stealing gas.

Police sources informed Dawn on Friday that DIG took the action against the SHO for using delaying tactics in lodging FIR against a factory owner for stealing gas in Zonaka area of Banda Daud Shah.

The sources said SNGPL had asked the SHO to lodge FIR against the factory owner for using illegal gas from the main supply line, but he failed to register FIR within 24 hours.

The DIG ordered an inquiry against the police officer.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2018