DERA BUGTI : More than a year after Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) and the Government of Balochistan signed a landmark Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) aimed at improving infrastructure, employment and social welfare in Sui, District Dera Bugti residents and local representatives say several key commitments remain unfulfilled.

The agreement, signed on February 14, 2025, paved the way for the execution of the Petroleum Concession Agreement (PCA) for the Sui Development and Production Lease (D&PL). Under the agreement, PPL pledged to contribute approximately *Rs60 billion* to the Government of Balochistan through lease extension bonuses, production bonuses and social welfare obligations.

Among its major commitments, the company agreed to ensure the supply of *up to one million gallons of water daily* to Sui Town, provide *free domestic gas* to designated localities, implement a jointly funded development plan, create educational opportunities, recruit local engineers and diploma holders, and undertake corporate social responsibility projects in health and education.

However, residents of Sui claim that some of the most important commitments have yet to materialize.

Residents say large parts of Sui Town are experiencing severe water shortages despite the agreement's commitment to ensure a regular water supply.

Several local residents told *Balochistan Dispatch* that many neighborhoods have been facing prolonged shortages, forcing families to depend on alternative and often expensive sources of water.

The agreement also states that PPL will recruit seven engineers and seven diploma holders from Dera Bugti annually on a contractual basis and provide training opportunities for local youth.

According to local sources, nearly 800 engineering graduates and diploma holders are currently waiting for recruitment advertisements promised under the agreement.

Local engineer Manzoor Bugti said educated youth are becoming increasingly frustrated by the delay.
"On one hand, the government announced employment opportunities for us and asked us to wait. On the other hand, no recruitment advertisement has been issued. Many candidates are gradually becoming overage. We want to serve the country by working in our own local fields," he said.

Ali Bugti, a leader of the Bugti Youth Organization, described the delay in implementing the agreement as unfair to local communities.
"It is entirely unjust that the company has not fulfilled the commitments it made under the agreement. At the very least, the basic promises regarding water supply and employment opportunities for educated local youth should be implemented without further delay," he said.

Agreement's Key Commitments

The MoA includes several commitments designed to improve living conditions in Dera Bugti, including:

* Daily supply of up to one million gallons of water to Sui Town.
* Free domestic gas supply for Sui Town, Tota and Phong Colonies.
* Annual recruitment of seven engineers and seven diploma holders from Dera Bugti.
* Scholarships for 50 students.
* Overseas skills training for 50 engineers and diploma holders.
* Rehabilitation of health and education facilities through corporate social responsibility programmes.

Residents and local representatives say they are not demanding new concessions but the implementation of commitments already agreed upon between PPL and the Government of Balochistan. They have urged both parties to ensure that the promises made under the agreement are fulfilled, particularly those relating to water supply and employment opportunities for local educated youth.

Balochistan Dispatch has reached out to Pakistan Petroleum Limited for its response. This report will be updated if the company provides its comments.