Karachi: A sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum convened at the SSGC Headquarters in Karachi to address issues related to gasification schemes, local employment, corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, royalty distribution, and development projects in Sindh’s oil and gas producing areas.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting was presided over by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo and attended by various officials, including Senator Qurat-ul-Ain Marri, MNA Zulfiqar Sattar Bachani, and representatives from organizations such as OGRA, SSGCL, and OGDCL. The focus was on ensuring that local communities benefit from natural resources through enhanced gas facilities, employment opportunities, and development projects. Concerns were raised regarding the finalization of village lists for gasification schemes without consulting local representatives. Coordination was directed between SSGC, elected representatives, and district officials to address these issues.

Discussions extended to employment opportunities, with a call for prioritizing local residents for non-technical jobs and providing training for technical positions. The committee also examined the collection and allocation of royalties, urging transparency in their distribution to districts. Operating companies were directed to ensure comprehensive reporting of financial transactions and contributions to local development, particularly in Ghotki, where pending CSR initiatives and infrastructure projects were discussed. The meeting concluded with directives for enhanced cooperation among stakeholders to ensure that benefits from natural resources reach the affected communities effectively.