Pak coal

I believe Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel for power generation is neither economically sustainable nor strategically wise. At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing and ordinary people are struggling to pay their electricity bills, tapping into our abundant local coal reserves – especially in Thar – is not just an option, it is a necessity. Pakistan imports over 47 per cent of its fuel for power generation, draining precious foreign exchange. Meanwhile, we sit on an estimated 180 billion tonnes of coal, enough to power the nation for the next 200 years.

According to experts, switching to local coal could slash electricity costs from Rs20 to as low as Rs7 per unit. That is a life-changing difference for the average household. The conversion of projects like the Jamshoro Power Plant from imported to indigenous coal has the potential to save billions of dollars over the years, while also reducing electricity prices. It is a step towards energy independence and price stability, both of which Pakistan urgently needs.

Ehtasham Cheema

Islamabad