ISLAMABAD: Rs 480 million in royalty were paid to Talal Bugti by the federal government for the extraction of oil and gas from Dera Bugti, Pakistan Today has learnt from reliable sources.
“The row between the government and Bugtis over royalty has been amicably resolved for the time being,” sources said, adding that Rs 360 million were paid against arrears for the past 5 years and an advance of Rs 120 million was paid for 2011.
Federal government wanted to strike a deal for 5 years however Bugti disagreed, saying he will make this decision next year, sources said. “I don’t think I want to tie myself to an underperforming government for six more years,” the source quoted Talal Bugti as saying. When contacted, Talal Bugti confirmed the news.
“Please don’t dub the tenancy as royalty. They are paying us only Rs 22,000 and Rs 31,000 per acre while in contrast, they are paying Rs 1,20,000 per acre in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He alleged he was underpaid because he had refused to bribe Rehman Malik and others. “Bugti is levelling baseless allegations against government officials,” an official of the Ministry of Petroleum said while confirming the news.
Govt pays Talal Bugti Rs 480m royalty
