Oil and gas exploration: all firms required to spend 1 percent of income on area people

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed on Friday said that as per written agreement, every exploration company of oil and gas is responsible for spending one percent of its income on the welfare of the area people. Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Muhammad Jamal-uddin in the National Assembly, the minister said that the companies also give preference to the local people in job opportunities.
He said that a committee, headed by the Member of National Assembly has completed record of the amount which is spent on the welfare of the local people. He said that the Finance Ministry sends amount of funds in the account of the deputy commissioner of the relevant district. He said that the committee decides to launch the welfare projects.
Sheikh Aftab said that there is unemployment issue in the country and the people who do not get job in areas of exploration activities, always complain about the concerned company. Responding to another calling attention notice, Minister for Information and Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rahman said that efforts have been made to bring reforms in Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP), but the department is plagued with corruption.
She said the favourite persons have been employed in the TIP and the ministry has also sent some cases to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as well for investigation. The minister informed the House that the TIP was not privatised with the privatisation of the PTCL, but it was merged with the Ministry of Information Technology.
About salaries, she admitted the salaries of the staff have been stopped due to transfer of the joint secretary, adding the Finance Ministry is looking into the issue. Naseema Hafeez Panezai, legislator of PkMAP, pointed out the quorum when proceedings of the House were underway. She said the House was full on Thursday to pass the bill for merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but it was empty on Thursday. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq adjourned proceedings of the House till completion of the quorum. After a break of about 15 minutes, the chairperson adjourned proceedings as the House was not found in order.