Thar to become the energy capital of Pakistan: Ahsan Iqbal

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“The foundation has been laid to make Thar as the energy-capital of Pakistan”, was declared by Mr. Ahsan Iqbal Choudhary, the Federal Interior Minister, who also holds the portfolio of federal Planning and Development Ministry. While speaking to media after a daylong visit of mining and power projects at Thar Coal Block II, he also announced that federal government will also establish a university in Thar. The federal minister was briefed by Mr. Shamsuddin Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer of the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) on the status and progress of the mining and power plant operations. Following that, he also visited the 2x330MWs power plant and witnessed the progress underway at coal mine excavation work.

He also inaugurated safe drinking water plant at village Seengario and visited Model House being constructed at Senhri Dars Resettlement Model Village. During his visit to various plants Mr. Iqbal also met with women dump truck drivers and lauded their efforts to join the hard job and set an example for other women of the country. “Our country would not be able to progress without the active participation of women,” he expressed. The minister said that the Thar coal energy project is a glowing example of cooperation between the Sindh and federal governments. “If provincial and federal governments cooperate with each other on projects like Thar Coal, no one can stop the destined economic development of Pakistan,” he added. He said that despite the continuous crises created by unscrupulous elements, the federal government has almost put an end to the energy crises in the country and added that the investment of more than $5 billion would change the fate of the whole country and destiny of the rain-dependent Tharis.

Mr. Iqbal said, he is happy to see the revolution and change taking place in Thar due to the Thar Coal energy projects. He said that under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) all provinces would get equal share from respective projects. He said that Thar coal field and its projects were included in CPEC by PLMN government and said that different power plants being installed in Thar Coal Block II would produce more than 4000MWs of electricity soon.

He came down hard on those, who according to him, instead of focusing on improving the economy were creating hurdles by staging the sit-ins. He said that the government is contesting India and other contemporary economies by improving the country’s economy, adding he said countries like India and Bangladesh had not progressed through sit-ins but they focused on the core issues particularly their economies.

He asked the opposition parties to shun the politics of sit-ins instead and worked like them to improve the economy of the country. Federal Minister praising the Chinese government and people said that the neighboring country was greatly helping Pakistan in different projects under CPEC and vowed to foil all the attempts to create any hurdle or obstacle in carrying out these projects on the path of success.

Ahsan Iqbal said the CPEC has a vital role in Pakistan’s economic development achieved during the last three years, adding that “with the completion of CPEC projects, Pakistan-China relations will get further strengthened.”

He said deployment of Chinese workers in Pakistan on CPEC projects was a matter of pride for Pakistan. “Foolproof security cover is being provided to the workforce as a special security force has been set up for the purpose” he added. The minister said the two countries would work in unison to secure the western border, adding, economic benefits of the CPEC were equal for Pakistan and China.

The Federal Minister said that some anti-Pakistan elements through their agents and pawns had tried their best to create the hindrances in their selfless endeavors to serve the people but they neither got anything in past nor would succeed in future.

“Future of the country is in safe hands since majority of people wanted the continuity in the projects and development schemes in the country launched by PML-N government, he added.

The officials of SECMC briefed the minister said that the company had completed the 112 meters open-pit mining and remaining work would be completed within the stipulated time. The Federal Minister inaugurated the Drinking water plant in village Seengario and, also visited the modern school set up by Thar Foundation and highly lauded the efforts of the mining firm to provide the basic facilities to the villages falling within the Thar Coal Block II.

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