Targeting gas installations in Balochistan should not merely be seen in local perspective of tribal clashes, it should be seen in a broader regional perspective of geo-strategic politics of laying trans-national gas pipelines. The politics of laying gas pipelines from Central Asia, Iran and Qatar to South Asian countries is a highly complicated business involving many international interests of big powers and regional states. Whereas, the recently signed trilateral agreement on laying Turkmen gas pipeline from Daulatabad fields in Turkmenistan to Balochistan via Afghanistan, raised hopes among many states for getting enormous economic benefits. It also triggered a war of words between the pro-project and the anti-project actors within Pakistan. It is an undeniable fact that many international oil and gas companies are in the race to get the contract of laying mega gas pipeline projects in the region. These companies are interested to win friends, both from tribes and the senior most officials in the ministry of petroleum and natural resources in Islamabad.
The $2.3 billion pipeline project would provide first outlet to the hydrocarbon-rich Central Asian Republic. There is, however, a controversy over linking this pipeline to gas transmission system at Sui in Bugti tribal area. Efforts are underway by influential people in the establishment to link the Turkmen gas pipeline to Multan for building a parallel system.
During 1990s, the US-led energy consortium UNOCAL decided to link the proposed Turkmen gas pipeline with gas transmission and distribution system at Sui. The decision was taken purely on merit to avoid technical, financial and other complications which may come out while linking it with a new system anywhere in Pakistan and retain all the economies already available.
Though Turkmenistan gas pipeline project will cost around $2 billion,over $10 billion will be spent on developing the basic infrastructure connecting it to a gas transmission system for further transportation of Turkmen petrochemicals to India, after the gas pipeline is brought to Sui. This finance will naturally be invested in Balochistan in case the proposed pipeline is linked with Sui gas transmission system at Dera Bugti. This heavy foreign investment in Balochistan will bring enormous benefits for the people and open new vistas of progress and prosperity in the backward province. Efforts are underway to change the route of gas transmission line from Sui to Multan, as against the scheme originally planned.
From economic point of view it makes no sense to first take the gas pipeline to Punjab and than to India and beyond. Installation of another gas plant at Multan or some other place will need extra resources and may create new problems.
For the last 10 years, Dera Bugti tribal area has been projected as “unsuitable” and “dangerous” to run any mega project, thus blocking the way of investment in Balochistan. There seems no reason why local people should be hostile to the development of their area or oppose to avail job opportunity in the foreign funded project at their doorstep.
The gas transmission and distribution system at Sui is considered to be one of the biggest systems in the world. It is efficiently working for the last 50 years. It meets approximately 44 per cent of Pakistan’s current energy needs. Earlier, 80 per cent energy needs of the country were being met from the energy resources of Dera Bugti. The Sui and the Bugti tribal areas possess the required infrastructure and skilled manpower to undertake the proposed project.This is why international experts always gave importance to the Sui and the Bugti tribal area for taking trans-Afghan gas pipeline through these areas.
Tribal feuds need to be resolved at the earliest. The government should try to keep tribal harmony,playing a neutral and impartial role in this regard. As soon as the gas pipeline is brought to Gwadar in Balochistan from Daulatabad, the province would become the regional hub of economic activities.
Last year, the Chinese oil firm BGP stopped its seismic survey for oil and gas exploration at Dera Bugti due to security reasons. The government and tribal forces stand-off in Kohlu district and other tribal areas of the province would plague the economic development process, and the government should consider each aspect of the recent acts of sabotage in Sui and Rajanpur and beef up security in the sensitive areas providing protection to vital installations in Pakistan.