Sindh
Thar Coal a ‘game-changer’ for Pakistan, says Murad
THARPARKAR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while giving a detailed presentation to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the mine pit, Coalfield Block-II, said that Thar Coal was a game changer for Pakistan as it could yield exponential economic dividends of $4 billion annually alone from the export of 70 MTPA coal, apart from producing power, syngas for fertilizer in the country.
“Therefore, we, the provincial and the federal governments, have to work together to tap its resources in the entirety to usher in a new vista of development and prosperity in the country.” The presentation was attended by Foreign Minister and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Federal Ministers- Ahsan Iqbal, Musadiq Malik, Khurram Dastagir, Provincial Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh, chairman HUBCO, CEO SECMC Amir Iqbal and others.
Energy Future: Quoting the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), the chief minister said that Thar Coal has 175 billion tons of coal reserves worth $29 trillion or more than the reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iranian Oil reserves. He added that the entire coalfield has been divided into 13 blocks, of which Sindh Engro Coal Mine Company (SECMC) was working in Block-II, a reservoir of two billion tons of coal, and SSRL was engaged in Block-I, a reservoir of five billion tons. PPP Model: Tracing the history of Thar Coal, Mr. Shah said that it was discovered by GSP in 1991. “Moving on the fast track for an early harvest of the black gold, Sindh govt, and Engro Energy Ltd entered a Joint Venture Agreement in 2009, and in 2014 both Mine and Power Projects were included as China and Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)- related projects,” he said and in 2015 the federal government issued Sovereign Guarantee for the Thar Coal Project and first Tariff Determination was issued for Thar Coal and Power Plants.
Murad Ali Shah proudly said that in 2019 3.8 Mtpa Mine and 600 MW Mine Mouth Power Plant was commissioned in 2019 and production capacity was expanded to15.4 Mtpa powering 2640 MW in 2022. Fed & Sindh govts: The CM acknowledged the federal government’s support and said that it has been instrumental in enabling the Thar Coal and Power Project. He recalled that in January 2014 the then-prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, and President Asif Zardari had jointly performed a ground-breaking ceremony for the Thar Coal and Power projects.
“A $700 million Sovereign Guarantee was provided by the federal government backstopped by the Sindh government,” the CM said and added that 55 percent Equity was injected by the Sindh government in SECMC and incurred $700 million on development of infrastructure in Thar. Unparalleled Economic Dividends: Murad Ali Shah said that Thar Coal has created unparalleled economic dividends for Pakistan. “Approximately 12.5 million tons of coal unearthed and about 12,500 GWh added to the national grid since the inception of the coal and power projects,” Mr. Shah said proudly and added thereby saving forex of $2 billion per year for the country at the current price of $700 million by the end of 2022.
According to the CM, with the efforts of the Sindh government a foundation of $7.5 bn investment, including $5.1 billion in power and $1.8 billion in Mines under CPEC has been laid. Murad Ali Shah disclosed that Thar Coal was currently the cheapest source of power. Quoting the current spot price as per the last notified by NEPRA rates, based on Thar coal Phase-II coal price, Murad Shah said: power generation against the imported coal costs Rs37 per kWh, LNG Rs24, and Thar cots coal Rs17 per kWh. “This shows that Thar coal is the cheapest source of power generation,” he said.
Exponential Economic dividends: The chief minister said that Thar Coal could yield exponential economic dividends by2030. He added that Thar Coal Block-1 was going to unearth 7.8 Mtpa (20 MPTA) for the generation of 1320 MW by December 2022 and would save $1.2 billion forex annually. He added that the conversion of Sahiwal, Port Qassim, and CPHGC plants to Thar Coal, 926 MTPA, would save the country $1.5 billion annual forex. Mr. Shah said that three cement plants – Fatima, Bestway, and Pioneer- were interested in utilizing Thar coal for which tests have been successfully conducted and would save $2 billion in foreign exchange for the country annually. He added that coal gasification could be used to make Syngas (SNG) for fertilizers and would save $3 billion in foreign exchange if 60 MPTA were used. On top of it, the export of 70 MPTA lignite coal to regional countries would save/fetch $4 billion annually.
Social initiatives: The chief minister told the prime minister that major social initiatives have been undertaken in Thar. He added that mine and IPPs in Block-II have pledged 2 percent and 1 percent of their profit respectively to the Thar foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) over the life of their project. Mr. Shah said that 60 percent or 3,303 of the total employment of Block-II were Tharis and they have been given Rs75 million in technical scholarships. He added that 23 schools have been established where over 4,061 students, including over 1000 girl students, were receiving education. A 120-bed state-of-the-art hospital has been established under CSR, with an OPD of 150 to 2000 patients at Marvi Clinic daily. The CM told the PM that 52 Thari women who were trained to drive dump trucks were successfully and proudly doing their job. He added that 11 Thari women were working as Operators of RO plants. “We have installed 17 RO plants which are supplying clean water to 13 villages,” he said.
KARACHI: In a remarkable move, the 7th Agricultural Census 2024 – Integrated Digital Count was officially launched here on Wednesday.
The event, held in Karachi, was marked by the participation of key dignitaries, including Mr. Muhammad Ali Malkani, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Government of Sindh, and Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Planning and Development and Energy, Sindh and Dr. Naeem-uz-Zafar, Chief Statistician, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), whereas secretaries, director generals and other officers of different provincial departments also attended the launch.
Dr. Naeem-uz-Zafar, in his keynote address, emphasized the transformational nature of this census. “This is not just a data collection exercise; it is a foundation for evidence-based decision-making that will steer our agriculture sector towards sustainable growth. For the first time, we are adopting an integrated and fully digital approach, combining agricultural, livestock, and machinery censuses into a single, comprehensive operation,” he stated.
Highlighting the census’s objectives, Dr. Naeem-uz-Zafar added, “The 7th Agricultural Census will provide critical insights into Pakistan’s agrarian structure, crop patterns, livestock population, and mechanization trends. The use of advanced tools such as tablet-based data collection, GIS dashboards, and real-time monitoring ensures accuracy, reliability, and timeliness. This initiative aligns with international best practices and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines.”
He detailed the preparations, including the extensive training of 1,695 enumerators and supervisors across 30 venues in Sindh, to ensure the quality of data collection. He also underscored Sindh’s vital role in Pakistan’s agricultural economy, with its 8.2 million acres of cultivated land and major contributions to crops like cotton, rice, sugarcane, and wheat.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ali Malkani, Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, echoed these sentiments in his address. “This census is a historic step towards modernizing our agricultural practices and addressing the challenges of food security, climate resilience, and rural development. Sindh’s agriculture sector is the backbone of its economy, supporting 37 percent of our population. The insights gained from this census will empower policymakers to make informed decisions and drive sustainable progress,” he remarked.
The Minister also lauded the collaborative efforts between federal and provincial governments, academia, and relevant stakeholders in making this initiative a reality. “The data we collect will have far-reaching impacts, shaping policies that uplift farmers, enhance productivity, and strengthen food security,” he said.
The event also featured Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister for Planning and Development and Energy, who reiterated Sindh’s commitment to supporting innovative initiatives like the Integrated Digital Count. “Our government firmly believes in using technology to address the challenges faced by our agriculture sector. This census is a critical step in achieving that vision,” he stated.
The journalists present on the occasion asked questions from the dignitaries regarding the reasons of 16 years gap since the last agricultural census, and the validation, relevancy and efficacy of this census in the face of continual climate crisis. The field operations for the census will run from January 1 to February 10, 2025, with the final results expected by August 2025. This initiative reflects dedication and cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to leveraging technology for governance and ensuring the sustainable development of the agriculture sector.
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