Karachi: A Chinese delegation has demanded adequate security against the extortion mafia to be able to conduct a seismic survey at Badin city in Sindh province.
Country Manager SINOPEC (Henan Petroleum Bureau Pakistan Branch) Wang Jindang put forward this demand during his meeting with Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas. The firm arrived after instructions from China`s top leadership to assist Pakistan in locating hydrocarbon deposits to help overcome the country`s ongoing energy crisis.
In this connection, the firm was awarded a contract by Pakistan Petroleum Ltd (PPL) to carry out a seismic survey in Badin, reports The News. The meeting was informed that the firm set up its base camp in Badin, and started recording data on April 8, 2012. However, the delegation said they were facing severe problems that intensely slowed down the pace of the project and caused colossal financial losses.
The delegation said that costly equipment, mainly cables and geophones, were being damaged in large quantities. It was stated that the equipment was specialised, sophisticated, expensive, and not available in Pakistan. The Chinese firm said even though they were paying compensation to the affected people for the damage to lands and crops, some locals are also using extortion and blackmailing tactics, and not letting them work.
The chief secretary directed the authorities concerned to ensure safety and security measures. He also asked the DC and SSP Badin to deploy senior officers to address the concerns of the foreign firm.
ANI
