Sub-Committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday directed the officials of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to probe the reportedly involvement of some officials of Oil and Gas company MOL Pakistan in the crude oil theft in district Karak of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The committee headed by convenor Naveed Qamar took notice of media reports regarding Pakistani officials of Oil and Gas Company MOL who were allegedly involved in the crude oil theft in the Karak district of KP. Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources Arshad Mirza assured the committee that the matter was referred to the FIA for further probe. The Company MOL Pakistan also initiated an inquiry and shared relevant information with the FIA. The company also designated Barrister Mansoor Ali Shah as a focal person.
Director General Petroleum Concessions said that it was just an allegation against MOL and there is no evidence. Member Committee Junaid Anwar Chaudhry asked the DG PC to reply specifically- either there was oil was theft or not. He replied that he was clueless.
Earlier, Akram Khan Durrani alleged before a Parliamentary Committee that the oil theft continued for years in the province with the convenience of top MOL officials, adding that the amount was over and above Rs 1 trillion.
The committee also discussed the royalty issue of Lease Holder Company on LPG. Audit officials were of the opinion that Ministry of Petroleum should charge royalty on sale value of LPG to increase the revenue. They said the Ministry should adopt best international practices as royalty on well head price was incorrect. The committee recommended that the matter of royalty should be taken in Council of Common Interests (CCI) and be made part of on-going amendments in the Petroleum Policy.