Shanzeh Iqbal


It is argued that the Thar coal reserves are more than the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran together. They could last for five centuries and can give energy worth 50,000 mega watts. This much energy is adequate enough to generate four times energy than the present need of Pakistan. The analysis is that there is a great potential for energy production than the Middle East oil reserves. Some say that they can last till 500 years. However an inordinate delay and insufficient funding by the authorities may cause a grave blow to the task. Look at the current scenario in Pakistan. The petrol prices are raised after every fifteen days. LPG price hike is there. The salaried class pays the taxes that too may be because the tax is deducted at source from their pay. In such wobbly conditions this project will not only help overcome energy shortages but also facilitate the international investor to come in Pakistan which will lead to prosperity.

Thar is the largest desert in Pakistan where most of the people are living in bleak conditions. They live below the poverty line. With a very restricted water supply, no electricity and transport or other facilities the life of Thari people is a sorry tale. Bonded labour is a common place phenomenon thus adding to the miseries of the people.20 years ago a student from Thar discovered that over 200 billion tons of coal is hidden there under the surface. This is quite great enough to supply electricity to Pakistan for hundreds of years. In this way the ailing economy of Pakistan can be uplifted.
What is surprising is the fact that mining companies from different countries have shown interest in this project but the lackluster approach by the government is creating problems in the way.

Work has begun near Islamkot area hence it can be ascribed that the project is at a very early stage. As per Dr Mand’s saying the planning commission has rendered this project as impracticable and the government has blocked provision of funds relating to this project. So far the government has released only$10m out of $115m during the last three years. While Dr Mand regards Rs1 billion to make this project a success. The general debate is that government spent a colossal amount of money on the futile rental power plants and that to no avail. The electricity produced by these rental power plants cost us 16 to 17 rupees per unit. Cannot it provide only one billion rupees to Dr Mand who propagates so vehemently about it? Even the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has himself regarded it as nation’s future. In August 2012 he informed that one block of Thar could produce two billion barrel diesel.

Well the concerns of the environmentalists cannot be forgone. Some say that this project would contaminate the Thar’s aquifer. Then there are the objections regarding the feasibility and financial viability of this project. The spokesman of the government, (Shahid Sattar, member Planning Commission whose educational capability is just matric, who has been appointed as advisor to ministry of water and power) has said that such type of project would mean the financial loss to the government. Dr Samar Mubarik Mund who is working on this project on honorary basis (means he is not taking any salary) has revealed that Shahid Sattar does not know anything about this project nor he has ever visited the site. Of course the question comes to mind if there are forces of oil and commission mafia at play? If there can be so much waste on foreign tours by the dignitaries then why is there no financial assistance to fund this extremely viable venture?

It has been proved now that using modern technology the underground Thar coal reserves can be converted into gas and this gas can be liquefied also. The electricity produced by the Thar coal would cost Rs 4.5 per unit. This also arouses some skeptical concerns. Even India is producing 77 percent of its electricity through coal, China is producing 78 percent. Then why cannot we gain energy through it to overcome the energy dearth. The geological surveys of the coal mines need to be conducted to bring to the surface the design development of these mines according to international standards. These requirements are indispensable to avoid any human loss during coal gasification. Moreover if the pilot project fails to witness the dawn of the day in an amicable way then it may unquestionably lead to the loss of credibility among foreign companies and may create a bad name of our country.

There is a serious reservation by the people of Thar. They seem to lament that already the natural resources of Sindh like natural gas and oil projects had observed the interference from federal government. Now the people of Sindh should take some benefit and even the two lawyers have filed the petition that the provincial government of Sindh should have full control over coal in Thar.

They also express grin that the companies recruit outsiders and therefore the locals cannot get the jobs. These are serious reservations and should be catered to. The Locals should be given priority. The rights of the poor people of Thar should be protected. This project would be in the whole nation’s interest therefore worthwhile attention must be paid. The differing experts ought to be brought on one platform and their fears must be spelled out. It can be done by preparing a proper feasibility report and conducting the geological survey along with a suitable power plant design.

The fact remains that coal is a cheap source of energy and it can turn the fate of Pakistan but there is also need to see whether the petroleum lobby is the encumbrance on the way to materialize this project .When the Chinese, Czechoslovakian and German companies have offered hundred percent investments in the country why there is an emphasis on the use of high priced imported oil when we can exploit the domestic potential? The government should show ample interest in making this project a success if it is really interested in trouncing the power crisis.

http://www.pkarticleshub.com/2012/09...he-misgivings/