A man attempted to commit suicide in Haji Siddiq Jamali, Taluka Johi on Saturday as a protest over non-payment of land compensation against Orient Petroleum Pakistan Limited (OPPL). Bashir Ahmad Jamali staged a demonstration and then climbed on top of a 200-feet-high main water supply tank near Dadu Press Club. He threatened to set himself ablaze and jump to the ground. On the intervention of locals and social activists, the protestor cam down after four hours, only on the condition that his issues would soon be resolved.
While talking to media persons present, Jamali claimed that he had been pursuing OPPL Zamzama field Johi for compensation of his 16 acres and 3 ghunta agricultural land for the past two years. As a part of its acquisition contract with the federal ministry of petroleum and gas 18 years ago, BHP Billiton had bought his land. While payments continued under its tenure, no compensations have been released ever since a new contract was signed with OPPL. He alleged that despite earning billions from million cubic feet production of gas and million barrels production of oil, OPPL was still not ready to release any payments. Further, the company was also not willing to recruit locals in both skilled and unskilled sectors.
Despite earning millions, OPPL was not ready to release land compensations
There were also complaints made against the environmental costs of petroleum production. Diseases such as tuberculosis, asthma and skin issues were also said to be gaining prevalence. Funds allocated for Corporate Social Responsibility and local development were also not being utilised despite OPPL signing an agreement with the federal ministry, Jamali noted.
Village elder, Haji Siddiq Jamali, also remarked that ever since the Jamali community had approached Dadu Deputy Commissioner and local administration for land compensation, all sorts of fake cases were being registered against them at Johi police station. He appealed Supreme Court Chief Justice to direct the head of OPPL to provide them with their due compensation.
Various attempts were made to contact Zamzama gas field’s Community Development Manager, Gulzar Wasan; OPPL Islamabad External Affairs Officer, Humera Malik; and OPPL Media Coordinator, Faisal Rehman, for an official response but no response has not yet received.
Published in Daily Times, February 17th 2019.
