Bilawal inaugurates Thar Block-II Phase-III expansion

Mine capacity rises to 11.2 MTPA, to power 1,980 MW; $220m forex saving expected annually

THARPARKAR: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday inaugurated the Phase-III expansion of Thar Block-II Coal Mine and Pakistan's first-ever Coal Drying Unit at Tharparkar.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and officials of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) were present at the ceremony.

According to officials briefing the ceremony, the Phase-III expansion has been completed through 100 percent self-financing. It increases mine capacity from 7.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 11.2 MTPA, adding 3.6 MTPA annually.

The additional coal production will fuel Lucky Electric Power Company's 660-megawatt power plant. With this, total electricity generation supported by Block-II coal rises from 1,320 MW to 1,980 MW, enough to supply electricity to approximately 4.5 million households daily.

Officials said the mine-mouth power generation cost stands at approximately $3.75 per MMBtu, making it one of the cheapest energy sources in the country and nearly three times cheaper than imported coal. The expansion is expected to save around Rs15 billion annually in power generation costs and about $220 million in foreign exchange every year. Cumulative foreign exchange savings since operations began have already exceeded $1.7 billion.

The Chief Minister said the Thar Coal Project has transformed the region from a neglected desert into a national energy hub, with development of roads, an airport, schools, hospitals and clean drinking water projects. He recalled the initiative traces back to 1996 when foundation stone of a 2,640 MW coal project was laid in Thar, and said its revival after 2008 led to current operational phase.

He said 94 percent of employees and service providers associated with the project belong to Sindh, while 60 percent are residents of Tharparkar.

He announced that a 50-bed Mother and Child Hospital in Islamkot would be completed within a year.

Officials said that through Thar Foundation initiatives, more than 500,000 patients have received free medical treatment, over 12 million litres of clean drinking water are supplied every month, and more than 5,000 students are enrolled, while about 1.2 million trees have been planted.


--IV News Desk

Photos courtesy CM House and SEMC

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KU scientists unlock Red Sindhi cattle genome

Image
Breakthrough linked to economic gains, disease resistance and modern livestock breeding By Mukhtar Alam KARACHI: Scientists at the University of Karachi have successfully completed the whole genome sequencing of Red Sindhi cattle, a milestone they say could significantly boost Pakistan’s livestock economy and strengthen disease control efforts. The researchers describe the breakthrough as a “transformational step” toward modernising the country’s livestock sector through genomic science, opening new avenues for precision breeding, enhanced productivity, and improved resistance to diseases. The work, led by the Dr A Q Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE) , also included genomic characterisation of the Lumpy Skin Disease virus, enabling deeper insights into host–pathogen interactions and infection control strategies. The project was carried out under the Sindh Higher Education Commission’s Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme by Dr Roohi Kanwal, an a...
Read more

Budget lacks medium-term brain, power relief, tax equity: Experts

Image
KU AERC seminar says Budget 2026-27 focuses on numbers, not on export competitiveness, tax equity, or long-term planning IV Report KARACHI: The University of Karachi’s Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC) concluded that Budget 2026-27 is missing key structural links to growth, energy affordability, and tax reform, during its Budget Insight 2026-27 seminar held Monday. Speakers said the budget reads as an annual accounts statement, without the medium-term policy backbone needed to address Pakistan’s core economic constraints. Former State Bank of Pakistan Governor Dr Ishrat Husain said a budget must operate within a medium-term policy framework, not as merely an account of income and expenditure. Citing the 2010-11 NFC Award, he noted it had set a target to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 15% within five years. Fifteen years later, it remains around 11 percent, he said, adding that setting targets alone is insufficient without practical measures and continuous monitoring. ...
Read more

KU pushes for alumni giving, with transparency and target

Image
VC says donors need clear sector-wise plans and accountability to strengthen KU’s academic and research work IV Report KARACHI: University of Karachi leadership has outlined new expectations for alumni and donor support, calling for clear sector-wise planning and transparent utilisation of contributions to strengthen KU's academic and research work. They were speaking at the inauguration of a new digital lab at the Department of Mass Communication on Tuesday. The lab, equipped with 25 modern laptops, was established with financial and technical support from the Orange Tree Foundation (OTF) for final-year students. Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Muhammad Tufail Jokhio said alumni residing abroad are keen to contribute to their alma mater, but accountability must come first. “It is essential to clearly inform them about the specific sectors and purposes for which their assistance will be utilised,” Dr Tufail said. “Equally important is to assure them that their contribut...
Read more