In view of the grave situation in Balochistan the area-wise largest province of Pakistan, I strongly appreciate the decision of ECNEC to handover Reko Deq project to the Balochistan government as claimed by chief minister of Balochistan Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani while talking to journalists. Balochistan chief minister also expressed the hope that his province would receive Rs 120 billion as gas development surcharge arrears and that this amount would be spent on funding the project. I am not certain the federal government will stick to its words for long time. Sindh had ugly experience of this when deputy chairman, Planning Commission Sardar Aseff by got the wrong notification issued from the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to deprive Sindh of ownership of the gigantic Thar Coal deposits in connivance with Wapda. Fortunately enough, after Sindhs hue and cry this unconstitutional notification was taken back. Strangely, instead of punishing Sardar Aseff (MNA from Punjab), he was promoted to full-fledged minister for education. As per feasibility report of Reko Deq, whose estimated payable metal production over 56 years mine life is 22 billion pounds of copper (10 million tons) and 13 million ounces of gold. The experience shows that certain bureaucrats working in the federal government in Islamabad would not allow Balochistan to get such big amount of gas arrears. MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL, Karachi