Senator opposes privatisation of Qadirpur gas field

Senator Talha Mehmood, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Interior has said that privatisation of Qadirpur Gas Field will push the country into total chaos.
"Instead of indulging in privatization of profit earning institutions of national importance, we have to empower the Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) to explore more oil and gas fields to help country at this our of energy shortage", Talha said while talking to office bearers of the OGDCL Labour Union, here on Monday.
They apprised, Talha Mehmood about the problems country will face if Qadirpur Gas Field was privatised. It is a valuable asset of the country and instead of privatisation government should provide OGDCL resources to carry out more exploration in the field to bridge the rising energy crises particularly the gas sector, Talha Mehmood said, adding that the government can earn more revenue from the area if it is given due consideration by the government.
He said that concerns of the labour union were genuine and assured all out support. "We have to support the labour union of OGDCL as it is an important national issue", he added. Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood observed that the country is already facing financial crises and selling of the Qadirpur Gas Field would worsen the situation further. The government should realise the gravity of the situation and should not decide in haste. "We should learn from the past experience which proved too bitter as for privatisation of the state entities is concerned", Senator Talha pointed out. He stated that the gas field can earn billions of rupees per anum if it is given proper consideration, by the government. Earlier, Secretary General Akleem Khan Marwat of OGDCL Labour/Employees union informed Senator Talha about the various aspects which would have negative impact on the social, economic life of the people and the country.
He assured the delegation to make all out efforts to cancel the privatisation and inject money into the exploration sector to bridge the demand and supply gap.