PM to perform groundbreaking ceremony of Thar Coal Block-II project

Karachi

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is arriving in the city on Monday to perform the groundbreaking of the Thar Coal Power Project at the Thar Block-II.

In view of the prime minister’s visit, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah while chairing a meeting on Friday said that he was thankful to the prime minister for taking personal interest in the much-needed project, which could potentially resolve the energy crisis in the province. 

He said the completion of the project was a dream of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, for which the Sindh government was rendering untiring efforts.

The meeting was told that the financial close of the project had been achieved on April 4 and the funds were available to start the work on the project.

The meeting was further informed that the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) was going to establish the 660-megawatt coal-fired power plant, which would be followed by the installation of another 660MW power plant.

The Sindh government is partnering with the SECMC in coalmining which is likely to be completed by the end of 2018. "It would be a great breakthrough in the history of the province," the chief minister said and added Benazir Bhutto had brought a Hong Kong-based company to make a feasibility report so that the resources in the Thar coal field could be utilised.

If the project wouldn't have been scrapped on political grounds, he said, Pakistan would have become self-sufficient in the energy sector through its completion. 

He said the Sindh government would support the federal government to complete the project in the supreme national interest.

“The project can meet the energy requirements of the entire country if it is utilised with sincerity and efficiency.”

The chief minister directed the relevant officials to provide foolproof security to the Chinese engineers working in the province.

IG Sindh AD Khawaja told the chief minister that the recruitment process of 2000 ex-army men for the security of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects was in progress. "We would ensure their security as per commitment of the government," he assured.

Those who attended the meeting include Senior Minister for Finance & Energy Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, IG Sindh AD Khwaja, Secretary Finance Sohail Rajput, Secretary Energy Agha Wasif, Commissioner, DIG Mirpur Khas and others.