ISLAMABAD, 21 APR (DNA) – Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources has directed FIA to acquire necessary documents from relevant departments and conduct a thorough inquiry into the reported theft of crude oil from NASHPA Oil field, District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

The Committee also directed FIA to submit its preliminary findings to the Committee by 24th May.  The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Ch. Bilal Ahmed Virk, MNA in Islamabad this afternoon.

The Committee was apprised that initial findings of the FIA point towards involvement of employees of the Company operating the Oil Field besides several private individuals.

The representative of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Department informed that this department also conducted an inquiry which substantiates involvement of several persons into the theft causing colossal loss to the national exchequer. The Committee directed him to provide the report to FIA so that inquiry could proceed ahead.

While discussing the discrimination by provinces with the Oil and Gas producing District and Tehsil in terms of allocation and utilization of Royalty and production Bonus, the Committee directed the Representative of Provincial Energy Departments to present details of the Royalty remitted to the Provinces by the Federal Government and its subsequent allocation by the provinces

. The Committee also directed them to submit details of executed and ongoing schemes in the relevant oil and gas producing District and Tehsils. The Committee also directed them to involve local representatives in identification of development schemes in future.

The Committee while discussing the current status of exploration and production companies whose licenses were either revoked or served with show cause notices, directed Director General (Petroleum Concession) to pursue the court cases for early decision.

The cmmittee was apprised that non-performing licenses were revoked out of which 12 licensees went into litigation and were granted stay orders. The Committee also directed FIA and NAB to pursue inquiries of cases of M/o Petroleum and Natural Resources and its attached departments and submit cases to the Courts for decision.

The meeting was attended by MNAs; Mr. Muhammad Arshad Khan Laghari, Malik Ihtebar Khan, Mr. Muhammad Afzal Khokhar, Mian Tariq Mehmood, Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, Mr. Rasheed Ahmad Khan, Ch. Khalid Javaid Warraich, Nawab Ali Wassan, Mr. Shehryar Afridi,  Mr. Nasir Khan Khattak,  Mr. Sajid Ahmed,  Mr. Pir Bux Junejo,  Ms. Shahjehan Muneer Mangrio, Secretary M/o P&NR, Senior Officers of the Provincial Energy Departments, District Administration Karak and other senior officers of the concerned departments. DNA

———————————————-