PIRKOH is a sub-tehsil of Dera Bugti district with a population of 50,000 people. This is where natural gas was discovered in 1953 and which still is home to the country’s second largest reserves of natural gas after Sui. Soon after the discovery, the company responsible for the extraction of gas was bound to provide jobs and drinking water to the locals. But no one has taken any interest other than extracting the area’s natural resources.

The water issue in the region is common during the summer season and although funds have been approved for the development of the region, the money, unfortunately, never got released. Despite several promises by the representatives, the masses are yet to be granted any relief.

The relevant authorities should alleviate the sufferings of the locals by ensuring the provision of clean drinking water as the holy month of Ramazan is fast approaching. Otherwise, they will have no other option but to vacate the area and move elsewhere.

Khalid Bugti

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2021