KARACHI: The ground-breaking ceremony of Thar Coal Block II Coal Mining and Power Project was jointly performed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari in Mirpur Khas Sindh on Friday.
The project will be completed with total cost of Rs 1.6 billion by 2017. Initially‚ 6.5 million ton coal will be extracted from Thar Coal mine and it will produce 660 megawatts electricity.
Total estimates of coal in Pakistan are recorded at 186 billion ton‚ while 175 billion tons are located in Thar Coal field‚ which are considered one of the biggest treasures in the world.
In his address to the gathering, the prime minister pledged to overcome gas and power shortage shortly. The prime minister said that three power projects on River Indus namely Bonji‚ Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha dams will produce around 15,000 megawatts of electricity. The nuclear power plant in Karachi will produce 2200 megawatts of electricity.
Similarly, the prime minister said that Tarbela upraising project and Jhimpir wind power project will add further electricity to the national grid.
The premier said that the project will not only bring investment to the country but will also provide employment opportunities to local population and improve their living standards. He said that prosperity and peace in one province is the development of the entire country.
In addition, he said that all parties should get united to work for peace‚ prosperity and development of the country. He said that it is time to shun political differences and move forward.
Nawaz Sharif said that we have respected the mandate of all the political parties after general elections. He expressed his pleasure over Thar Coal power project and said that it is not only Sindh government’s project‚ but a national project.
Earlier‚ the prime minister accompanied by Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik and some federal ministers arrived in Mirpur Khas to launch Thar Coal Power Project.
Former President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah received the prime minister at Sindhri Airport.
During his stay, the prime minister will discuss political and law and order in Sindh‚ particularly in Karachi with the politicians.
