Chaired by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, the meeting of the Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas was held at Parliament House. Senator Muhammad Aslam Abro, Senator Syed Kazim Ali Shah, Senator Saifullah Abro, Senator Danesh Kumar, Senator Aimal Wali Khan, Federal Minister for Petroleum Senator Musadik Malik, Secretary Petroleum Division Momin Agha, Secretary for the Ministry of Housing and Works Dr. Shahzad Khan Bangash, and other senior officials from relevant departments attended the meeting. The Senate Functional Committee was briefed on the available gas reserves in the country. The DG Gas informed that the country’s daily usage of gas and oil is around 3,200 MM CFT and 7,000 million barrels, respectively. However, the total reserves of oil are around 192.93 million barrels, and gas reserves are around 18,108.77 BCF. Sindh has the highest share in gas at 64%, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has a 42% share in oil, according to the 2023-24 data (May 2024).

Federal Minister for Petroleum, Senator Musadik Malik highlighted that out of the total 3,200 MM CFT, 200 MM CFT is used for production, 1,400 MM CFT is utilized by fertilizer and power companies, and the remaining 1,600 MM CFT is allocated for domestic purposes. Thus, the total available gas is 3,000 MM CFT. Senator Aimal Wali Khan requested that complete details of gas consumption by provinces against their production be submitted at the next meeting. Furthermore, the Committee was apprised of the gas and oil explorations being carried out in Sindh and Balochistan. Officials informed that explorations are underway at five different locations in each province. However, OGDCL is carrying out the majority of the exploration activities. The Committee recommended that details of non-viable oil and gas exploration activities conducted in the last 10 years be reviewed. Moreover, The Committee discussed the development initiatives carried out by gas companies for the uplift of less developed areas adjacent to gas sites.

Officials informed that the ministry has mandated oil and gas companies to spend a minimum of $30,000 on social welfare projects, mainly for clean water, education, and hospitals. The amount allocated for social welfare is directly related to oil and gas reserves. Federal Minister Musadik Malik highlighted that a Social Welfare Committee will be constituted in the concerned district, accompanied by elected members of the constituency, for the finalization and execution of social welfare projects. Senator Shahzaib Durrani sought details of social work done by oil and gas companies in different parts of the country in the last ten years under Corporate Social Responsibility. He also demanded details of skilled and unskilled workers employed by oil and gas companies under corporate social responsibility. The officials while discussing the current status of housing schemes initiated by the ministry informed that infrastructure work on five sites, namely Green Enclave and Sky Gardens, was underway and will be completed on time.

Additionally, Senator Durrani highlighted the issue of the Kuchlak Housing Project in Quetta by the Pakistan Housing Authority. The project was initiated in 2020 with a cost of around Rs. 5 billion. However, due to delays in completion, the cost of one kanal house has increased by 2.9 million rupees. Senator Durrani lamented that undue burden has been placed on the families of the Shuhadas. He added that 12 vehicles acquired for the project were surprisingly used in Islamabad and that the project director and engineers have not been present at the site for the last three years. He directed the ministry to conduct an inquiry into the matter and fix responsibility.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan