PAKISTAN

 KARACHI: Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said on Saturday that the government is focussing on Thar Coal Energy Project so that its benefits could reach the people at the earliest.

He was addressing a meeting of Thar Coal Energy Board held under his chairmanship at the Chief Minister House.

Besides Board Members, Federal Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf, Provincial Ministers Syed Murad Ali Shah and Jam Mehtab Daher, Syed Asad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Secretary to CM Syed Suhail Akbar Shah, Secretary Mines and Minerals Aijaz Ali Khan, the meeting was also attended by new Board member and Federal Minister Babar Awan.

The Chief Minister said that Thar Coal Blocks were being allotted speedily to companies of international repute.

He said that under an MoU signed, PEPCO would buy the coal to produce 1200 mw of electricity which would pave the way for development in the country.

He told the meeting that Engro Coal Mining Company, too, would generate 1200 MW of electricity and these two companies would generate 2400 MW.

The Chief Minister said the Board members and the government are fully monitoring the project while the government is also providing incentives so that electricity is produced at the earliest.

The meeting decided to determine the price of Thar Coal and laws, therefore, would be approved.

It was decided that decision about appointment of consultant would be taken in the Board's next meeting.

The meeting was informed that investment proposals have been received from five firms for mining in Thar and coordinated power generation. They include Global Mining Company China, Asian Continental Energy Australia, Al-Tawariqi Steel Mills Saudi Arabia, Taireu Comapny Korea and Ghani Thar Coal Energy Limited.

In the meeting Dr. Samar Mubarak Mund, presented a detailed report on gassification project and apprised about details and problems.

Later, the representatives of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company(SECMC) and Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) signed the MoU at the Chief Minister House.

On the occasion Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Parvez Ashraf said that Dr. Samar Mubarak Mund is working on coal gassification project which would soon meet success.

He pointed out that there would be bidding for international competition while the government has announced an incentive packages for the investors.

He said the government is determined to make the project result-oriented and the coal reserves would be fully exploited and cheaper power be supplied to the people.

Federal Minister for Law Babar Awan appreciated the detailed briefing by Dr. Mubarak and said the project would become operational from next year.

He said that such projects were being run in 50 countries while a major project of this kind was operational in Siberia.

Babar Awan said that Thar Coal project is an economic opportunity to change the history of Sindh and the federal government will do everything possible for this project and carry it to completion speedily so that it does not suffer from red tapism.

The federal minister said that the government has restored Pakistan's writ which was challenged by terrorists and now every inch of Pakistan has been made safe and that is the fruit of democracy.

Babar Awan pointed out that the country had been heading towards default but now the national economy is reviving and now jobs are being provided while a country like US is faced with growing unemployment.

He said this government has committed no reprisal action during two years of its tenure and no political case framed against anyone and at present there is no political prisoner.

He said this government has promoted democratic traditions and formed coalition government to promote an environment of reconciliation, adding the government would complete its term and continue with the expansion of economic mechanism throughout the country, specially Sindh.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Provincial MinistersSyed Ali Nawaz Shah, Jam Mehtab Daher, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Advisor on Information Jameel Soomro and Provincial Secretaries.