ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that amid skyrocketing fuel prices, cheaper energy production from Thar Coal Mines project would prove as game-changer for development of entire country. Addressing inauguration of commercial operations of Phase-II of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company during his visit to Thar Coal Mines Block-II in Tharparkar he said Thar Coal Project could help government save up to six billion dollars as expenditure on import of energy including petrol and liquid petroleum touched 24 billion dollars.

Shehbaz Sharif said federal government in collaboration with Sindh government would chalk out a policy framework on Thar Coal mines project, with an objective to connect it with other rest of coal-powered power plants in country producing 4,000 megawatt of electricity. He said that coal gasification could be used to make Syngas for fertilizers and would save billions in foreign exchange. He said Thar Coal Mines project would be connected on March 23 through a freight rail track for transportation of coal to other parts of country. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Thar has now emerged as a game changer and a public-partnership model of development. He said that Thar Coal Mines project has contributed to provision of job opportunities to local people of Thar, thus improving their lifestyles. 

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said Sindh government allocated 40 percent equity along with 60 percent contributed by Sindh Engro in public-private partnership on Thar Coal mines project. He termed Sindh province as ‘energy basket of Pakistan’, with immense potential of natural energy resources, including solar and wind energy. Meanwhile, Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong congratulated government of Pakistan on successful completion of project and lauded Shehbaz Sharif for his “consistent devotion and firm support” in strengthening Pakistan-China cooperation including in CPEC projects. He hoped that new power block would help overcome energy shortage and provide reliable and affordable electricity.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 11 2022

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