CM Murad declares Sindh energy powerhouse

KARACHI: Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said that Sindh is the country’s ‘energy basket’, which could generate cheaper electricity from its abundant coal resources in Tharparker and by setting up gas-run, Nooriabad plant-like power plants.

The CM was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 19th My Karachi -- Oasis of Harmony Exhibition, organized by the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Expo Centre, on Friday.

“The cost of electricity, including its transmission from the 100MW Nooriabad power plant to Karachi, is Rs15.8 per unit, whereas industries in Karachi are being supplied electricity at a rate between Rs48 and Rs52 per unit, which is too high.”

He added that if the province is allowed to set up more power plants by utilizing its gas, it can provide electricity at rates that are at least 50 per cent lower than the existing tariffs. This could be done within the next three to five years, he said.

CM Sindh further stated that Sindh produces 70 per cent of the country’s gas, and it is categorically written in the constitution that the province has the first priority on its natural resources, including gas. Given this, he said, it is sheer injustice that industries in Karachi are being forced to buy RLNG, adding that this has led to creating more challenges, particularly rising unemployment due to industry closures.

“During these difficult times, the government, the industrial sector, and ordinary people should stay united and contribute in whatever they can for the progress and prosperity of Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan.”

He said that despite so many challenges and complexities, Karachi and its business community remain resilient. This, he said, makes this city not only the oasis of harmony but also the oasis of hope for entire Pakistan. “It is a city where all types of languages are spoken, and people from not only all parts of Pakistan but also from parts of the world come here in search of economic opportunities," he added.

He said that although the progress of entire Pakistan depends on the progress and prosperity of Karachi, yet the city’s industries are being forced to become inefficient. “We have to come out of it and raise a strong voice against such injustices being doneto Karachi and Sindh by fervently demanding the province’s constitutional right to its gas resources.”

Murad Ali Shah further informed that the Sindh government will be spending more than Rs200 billion on various infrastructure development projects in Karachi during 2024-25.“As K-IV continues to face delays, the Sindh government is constructing a water canal from Hub that, upon its completion in one year, would provide an additional 50MGD to Karachi. “We all must work together for the progress and prosperity of Karachi, which is the heart of Pakistan and a city capable of ensuring prosperity for the entire Sindh and rest of Pakistan. We are also actively working to effectively deal with street crime, which is not an easy thing to do keeping in view the huge size of this city,” he said, adding that an environment has to be created that leads to improving Karachi’s existing exports from 54 per cent to 80 per cent.

Referring to My Karachi Exhibition’s initiative taken by the late Siraj Teli, Murad Ali Shah said, “Siraj Teli did a tremendous job, and we can actually feel his presence here today. Whenever I think of the KCCI, the business community or My Karachi Exhibition, Siraj Teli is the first person who comes to mind,” he added while appreciating the KCCI for continuing this exhibition with the same zeal as before.