Gas producing districts to get Rs 750 million royalty: Hoti

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti Thursday said that local people have the first right over gas found in southern districts. Rs 750 million will be paid to producer districts this year in connection with royalty of oil and gas and the Prime Minister's package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should be extended.
He was addressing a gathering on the occasion of groundbreaking ceremony of Khshalgarh Bridge at Kohat on Thursday. Prime Minister Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani laid the foundation stone of the bridge. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Masood Kausar, Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir, federal ministers, senators, MNAs and MPAs, ANP and PPP Provincial Presidents Afrasiab Khattak and Syed Zahir Ali Shah, provincial ministers, women parliamentarians, higher provincial authorities, political workers and large number of local notables were also present.
Ameer Haider Khan Hoti said that southern districts of the province are rich with natural resources that guarantee development and prosperity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, added, producer districts have been given Rs 220 million as royalty of oil and gas last year while Rs 750 million will be provided this year, he declared.
He announced that these areas and people would benefit from exploration and utilisation of these reservoirs by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil and Gas Private Limited Company. He regretted deprivation of people of producer areas from gas facility, added, they have the first right over this wealth. He demanded the prime minister for provision of gas facility to areas within five kilometres. He stressed OGDCL, MOL and SNGPL to fulfil promises made with the people.
The chief minister paid rich tributes to the prime minister over NFC Award, 18th amendment, provincial autonomy, protection to provincial rights and resolving problems of net hydel profit and said that 110 billion rupees will be spent on power projects in the province in order to overcome national power crisis and produce earning resources for the province. He also invited the prime minister for inaugurating two hydel power projects in December.
Regarding successes against terrorism, the chief minister said that it is not only the achievement of the provincial government but its credit goes to the brave and gallant people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who had faced all problems and difficulties and rendered sacrifices, added, people of this province should be assisted the most.
He demanded the prime minister to extend the two years special Prime Minister's Package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hoti clarified that dialogues are only possible with those renouncing arms, observing law and constitution and ensuring peaceful living, added, people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will continue struggle till their last breathe against those killing innocent people and targeting mosques, schools and funeral prayers. He said that it is not my personal decision rather it is the decision of every person of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He also demanded the federation for approval of special package for Kohat. He said that the political parties in the provincial government following footsteps of their leaders and ancestors would continue their journey of successes against terrorism and efforts for prosperity and development of the province.
He announced that these flattering flags of ANP and PPPP will remain together for a long time. Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Masood Kausar, Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir and MNA Pir Dilawar Shah lauded efforts of chief minister for elimination of terrorism and uniform development of the province including Kohat and southern districts and assured him full support. Provincial Minister Amjad Afridi presented traditional Kula to Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.