DADU, March 19: Thousands of people including activists of different political parties took part in a march in Johi town on Sunday in protest against BHP Billiton, oil and gas exploration company, for its failure to provide jobs to locals, carry out development projects in the area and give compensation for land.

The march, which started from the New Bus Stand and culminated at the press club, was led by PML-Q MPA Dr Sajeela Leghari, Johi Taluka Nazim Dr Bandah Ali Leghari, Mohammad Sharif Jamali (PPP), Ghulam Qadir (STP), Akbar Leghari (PML-F), Mohammad Khan Panhwar (SNF), Ghulam Haider Bahoto (PML-Q), Shamsuddin Bahoto (PML-N), Hafiz Mohammad Amin Jamali (JUP), Qurban Khokhar (Johi Awami Ittehad) and Sawan Babar (Young Samaji Tanzeem).

Dr. Sajeela Leghari said that the company, which was extracting huge quantity of oil and gas from its Zamzama gas field in the area, should carry out development works, give employment and compensation for land to the poor land owners.

She warned the company officials that she would complain to the president and prime minister if the company failed to start development works in the area.

Taluka Nazim Dr Bandah Ali Leghari said that the company officials had chosen a few places where they had opened some schools and hospitals through some NGOs but the elected representatives and people were not satisfied with the NGOs’ work.

He warned that if the company did not appoint local people at the gas field would have to face demonstrations at the main gate of the company to be participated by all the political parties and people.