SAR-E-PUL: The extraction process of Qashqari Bloc oil wells begun, following an inauguration ceremony held in the country’s northern province of Sar-e-Pul, a statement said Friday.
The First Deputy Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and his accompanying delegation visited the province and attended the ceremony, according to a statement from his office.
Baradar called on the ‘mujahidin’ and officials of the province to protect their unity and solidarity and work for the construction and development of their country.
Present at the ceremony, the country’s acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Mawlavi Shahabudin Delawar also spoke on the occasion saying: “Occupation’ has now ended. All provinces belong to Afghanistan and the Sar-e-Pul project is one of the most important economic sources of the country.”
He said the Qashqari oil would be used in the development of the entire country, with Sar-e-Pul province at top priority, the statement quoted. The extraction of the mega oil project, with 200 tons costing $150,000 daily, has been said to hire thousands of people directly and indirectly in the province, according to the statement. The Amu River oil basin is chiefly laid in Sar-e-Pul province and partially in the neighboring Faryab province. It has three oil blocs, the serves of which estimated to reach 87 million barrels.
The Kabul Times