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KARACHI, Oct 08 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting of the Energy Department, reviewed the progress of the province’s major energy initiatives and highlighted Thar Coal’s vital role in securing Pakistan’s energy through low-cost, indigenous power generation.
The meeting, held at CM House on Wednesday, was attended by Principal Secretary to CM Agha Wasif, Energy Secretary Mushtaq Soomro, MD Thar Coal Energy Tariq Shah, CEO Sindh Transmission & Dispatch Company (STDC) Saleem Shaikh, SLCMS representative Mushtaq Panhwar, DG Power Nand Lal, and other senior officials.
The CM was informed that the Thar Coal & Energy Board (TCEB) was established in 2008 to oversee and facilitate the development of Thar’s coal resources. The Thar Coal Block-I project has attracted $3 billion in investment thus far and has created employment opportunities for 3,000 local residents.
Highlighting the project’s environmental efforts, the CM mentioned that 375,000 trees have been planted to enhance ecological balance in the Thar area. He also noted that 15.97 million tons of coal have been extracted from Block-I so far, producing 21,500 GWh of electricity fed into the national grid, which is enough to power 4 million homes.
Murad Shah pointed out that the use of Thar coal for power generation has saved the country $681 million in foreign exchange by reducing dependence on imported coal. “Electricity generated from Thar coal costs only Rs 4.8 per kWh, compared to Rs 15 per kWh from imported coal,” he added, stressing that local coal-based energy is considerably more economical and sustainable.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister reviewed the phased expansion of Thar’s power generation, i-e Phase I: 660 MW power capacity achieved. Phase II, an additional 660 MW operational. Phase III, a further 660 MW project under development.
Discussing rural electrification, the CM said that under the Village Electrification Programme, 8,813 villages have been electrified so far, with work ongoing in 360 more.
He praised the performance of the distribution companies and informed that HESCO has supplied electricity to 5,347 villages and is working on 120 more. SEPCO has electrified 3,233 villages, with projects ongoing in 229 villages. K-Electric also provided power to 270 villages, with work in progress in 11 more.
The meeting noted that the Village Electrification Programme, Phase IX, has commenced in HESCO and SEPCO areas, while Phase VIII has begun in KE’s jurisdiction. Two ADP Schemes have been approved, with a budget of Rs 1,500 million, of which Rs 521.038 million has been released.
The CM directed the Energy Department and relevant utilities to accelerate ongoing projects, ensure a reliable power supply to rural and industrial sectors, and promote renewable energy alongside Thar coal-based generation.
He reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to developing a balanced energy mix that prioritises affordability, sustainability, and local employment, positioning Thar as a symbol of Pakistan’s self-reliance in the energy sector.