Lack of security hampering oil, gas exploration in Tal Block Kohat

Source Dawn

The Hungarian Exploration Company MOL and Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL), which are operating 19 wells in the Kohat division as part of the Tal Block, still feel unsafe and are at the mercy of extortionists even after being involved in the region for more than a decade.

The Tal Block contracted to these companies by the government in 1999 and 2001comprises Kohat, Hangu, Karak, Orakzai Agency of Kohat division, Bannu and parts of Waziristan Agency.
The region is teaming with unbridled criminals who have for centuries made large swathes as no go areas where their main source of income is kidnappings for ransom and drug trafficking.
Only recently, rouge elements attacked OGDCL facilities and vehicles and occupied the company`s new Sheikhan site, forcing the OGDCL to suspend its production on different points in Kohat district.
Influential people and landowners often forcibly stop the oil and gas exploration work demanding jobs and extra cost of their land used by the company.
Mushfiq Paracha, the regional chief who administers whole Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Punjab, told this correspondent on telephone that some of the matters concerning recent incidents had been resolved. But the safety of the installations and the staff required much more security.
The MOL company officials have requested the commissioner Kohat division, Khalid Khan Umerzai, at several meetings held in recent months to provide the staff and installations with security especially after kidnapping of their staff and firing incidents. They also demanded elimination of the criminal gangs who pose constant threat to their installations.
A one such meeting was held on Thursday. But the MOL officials in Kohat and Islamabad, when contacted, refused to comment only saying that they were not allowed to speak about such matters.
A couple of months back unknown criminals attacked a vehicle of the MOL company and kidnapped its official Fayyaz Khattak. The incident occurred in Sarki Mela area between Kohat and Hangu districts. The MOL operates 10 wells of oil and gas in the region and is also assessing new reserves at sites in Hangu district.
Officials of both the companies and police said that extra troops of Frontier Constabulary and police check posts had started functioning after a long period of negotiations in view of the extreme vulnerability of the national and foreign companies to the criminals. The interior ministry had sanctioned extra platoon of FC, establishment of two posts and round the clock patrolling of the region. But the situation is still far from safe.

taliban kill alleged spy

Source  Dawn

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan killed an alleged spy and threw his body in Shni Kalay area of FR Kohat on Thursday.
The militants also left a leaflet along with the body in Darra Adam Khel warning the tribesmen of similar fate if they did not stop providing information about TTP to government agencies.
The deceased was later identified, Hamid Khan Afridi, as a man in his thirties and resident of Pirwalkhel village located in Akhorwal region. Tariq Afridi group claimed responsibility. Officials said that the incident took place after security forces arrested seven harbourers of militants on charges of abetting terror activities in Darra Adam Khel on Wednesday last. — Correspondent

Improper appointments at KUST alleged

Source The News


The management of Kohat University for Science and Technology has been accused of gross violation in appointments against various administrative and other positions.Some of the officials have been reappointed after reaching the age of superannuation against the Supreme Court verdict, sources told The News.

The registrar of the university Tariq Saleem Qasuria has been reappointed on contract twice after his retirement in August last year, the sources said. “The registrar was given six-month extension after his retirement, which expired in February last. He is still holding the office in violation of the Supreme Court verdict about reappointment of the retired officials,” an official at the university said while requesting not to be named.

The university also set a new tradition by appointing Dr Taslim Hussain as associate professor in 2008 without following any procedure, the sources said, adding that he had been hired despite not fulfilling the criteria for the position.

Appointed as associate profession in violation of all rules and regulations, Taslim Hussain was promoted as full professor in December last without having 10-year post PhD experience, which is a pre-requisite for the position, the sources added.

The position of station manager of the university’s radio had not been advertised and Kamran Khattak, close relative of a senior leader of the ruling Awami National Party, was appointed against it, the sources said.

The sources also revealed that Asia Bokhari had been serving as deputy director quality enhancement cell despite the fact that the selection board of the university rejected her twice in 2007 and 2010.

None of the high-ups of the university could be reached on all their available contact numbers for comments. Vice-chancellor of the university Prof Dr Nasir Jamal was not present in his office, while nobody was receiving phone call at his contact numbers in Peshawar. The registrar was out of his office and his cell phone was not responding. An official at the registrar’s office suggested calling another official at the library section, but he too was not available.

Two held for carrying explosives in Kohat

Source Dawn

Police arrested two persons and recovered a huge cache of explosives from their car on Indus Highway on Monday.

Sources said that the arrested persons possessed a permit, issued by Nowshera district police officer, for transportation of explosives, used in breaking rocks.
However, police said that the 80 kilograms of gunpowder and fertiliser, recovered from the car, could also be converted into bombs. “The explosives may be meant for mining purpose but the accused only possess a permit issued by Nowshera DPO. They also put their own and several other lives in danger by carrying the highly explosive material without taking any safety measure on the busy Indus Highway,” police said.
The arrested persons identified as Imran and Adnan belong to Jatta Ismail Khel area of Karak district.
Police said in a statement that they had prior information about the explosives-laden car, which was stopped at Lachi toll plaza for checking. Upon search explosives were recovered from the vehicle in large quantity, the statement added.
The arrested persons were taken to unspecified place by the investigation department for interrogation. The Lachi police registered a case against the accused for carrying explosives material on a sensitive and busy road without a valid permit.
About a month ago, Kohat police had apprehended a khasadar of Orakzai Agency and two other persons near Bannu Railway Crossing for carrying explosives to coalmines in the tribal area.
They were also termed terrorists and booked under Explosives Act.
“The vehicles were not meant for carrying explosives and the route must be notified by the carriers for taking necessary measures,” officials said.

New Rs.1.4 billion Kohat Pindi bridge planned

Source The Express Tribune


The National Highway Authority (NHA) will spend Rs1.4 billion to construct Khushalgarh Bridge across the Indus River on the Rawalpindi-Kohat Highway (N-80). A source in the NHA told APP on Sunday that the project design has been completed and a project proposal of Rs1.72 billion has been recommended by the NHA Executive Board and forwarded for approval.
Under the plan, NHA will build a four-lane bridge over the Indus River. Approach roads at Kohat and Fatehjang are also part of the project. NHA will also be responsible for operation and maintenance of the new two-lane, two-way bridge. The NHA has already signed an agreement for provision of an interest-free loan of Rs700 million with MOL Pakistan and Oil and Gas Development Company.
The new bridge will be useful for transporting fuel from oil and gas fields around Kohat.

Two arrested for Ustarzai Van attack

Source Dawn

The Ustarzai police here on Thursday arrested two persons for their involvement in an attack on a passenger van a fortnight ago, which left two passengers dead and two others injured.

Quoting investigation officials of Ustarzai police, the police media cell said that the accused Inshad Ali and Sajjad Ali, residents of Behramzai area of lower Orakzai Agency, were traced in the light of evidence.

Police said that during interrogation the accused admitted that they had an old enmity with the two slain tribesmen, Muhammad Saeed and Hameed Khan, of Mishti Mela of lower Orakzai Agency.

Two other tribesmen, including Mohammad Akbar and Sial Gul, were injured in the firing on the van on February 22.

Three women killed in Gumbat Kohat

Source Samaa TV

Unidentified persons murdered three women and left another man injured in an incident of firing in Kohat late Saturday night.

According to police, unknown persons barged into a house in Gambat locality of Kohat and opened indiscriminate fire, killing a mother and her two daughters.

Police reached the scene and transferred the injured to hospital.

Two tribesmen kidnapped from Kohat Hangu Highway

Source Dawn

Two tribesmen were kidnapped from Kohat-Hangu Highway near Ustarzai police station by their rivals on late Friday nightThe tribesmen identified as Saeedullah and Wali Mohammad were coming from Zargari area of tribal Orakzai Agency when they were picked up with their car, police said on Saturday.

Later, their car was found abandoned on the roadside. A tribe from Orakzai Agency and another from Marai area of Kohat have been kidnapping each other’s members for last the one year owing to their rivalry. Two shepherds had disappeared few days ago when they crossed from Marai into Orakzai Agency.

Both the tribes have fought several fierce battles in the past, leaving scores of people dead. They used heavy arms like mortar, rocket launchers and anti-aircraft guns against each other in the clashes which lasted for several weeks. They had centuries-old land and religious disputes.

Two terrorist killed 13 arrested in operation

Source Daily Times

Two terrorists, including a local commander, were killed while 13 of their accomplices were arrested by the security forces in Kamal Khel area on Friday. According to Kohat police, two terrorists were killed in a clash with security forces in Kamal Khel village in Balitang early Friday morning. An injured terrorist was also arrested from the site, who later helped in arresting 12 others. The terrorists were identified as Samiullah of Shadi Khal, a local commander and Mujtaba, resident of Mian Khel, both belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban, Darra Adam Khel. Their bodies were handed over to their families. Sources said that both the killed terrorists were involved in bomb blasts in different parts of the country, attacking security forces’ vehicles and target killing incidents while Mujtaba was said to be an expert of preparing explosive-laden vehicles and improvised explosive devices. The security forces also recovered automatic weapons and hand grenades from the arrested terrorists. app