HYDERABAD: The federal government and government of Sindh, on a proposal forwarded by Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), have agreed to work together on laying down a 143 km railway track from Thar Coal Block II to the nearest main railway line for transportation of indigenous coal to lignite-fired power plants in Jamshoro and other areas.
The SECMC spokesman informed here on Thursday that the collaboration was made between the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Power, Shahzad Qasim and Sindh Energy Minister, Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh during a briefing by SECMC here at Thar Coal Block II.
On the special directives of Chief Minister Sindh, the Special Assistant to PM visited Thar Coal Block II mining, power and Thar Foundation projects. He was accompanied by Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh, SECMC CEO, Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi and Engro Energy Limited Chairman, Ahsan Zafar Syed who arrived Thar Coal Block II near Islamkot on a day-long trip.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahzad Qasim said that the federal government was committed to supporting in every possible manner because Thar Coal will become near future base load for Pakistan.
Responding to the proposal forwarded by SECMC, he asked SECMC to submit a formal proposal so that he may initiate the process with relevant stakeholders like Pakistan Railways and the Chinese companies if required. He assured that he will take up the proposal of railway track at all levels of the federal government to get desired funding and the necessary approvals.
He said that the Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Engro and the government of Sindh has transformed the dream of Thar into reality. The SECMC has done an amazing piece of work in Thar which will certainly and truly change Pakistan, he concluded.
Sindh Minister for Energy, Imtiaz Shaikh said that Sindh government is always willing to work with the federal government on any project which will not only further harness indigenous energy reserves like Thar Coal but will also ensure making Thar as the energy capital of Pakistan. He said the Sindh Chief Minister has extended his full support in exploring ideas to bring Pakistan out of energy crisis for sustainable economic growth.
Earlier, briefing the delegation about the project progress and way forward, CEO SECMC Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi said that they are very close to producing electron from 660 MWs power plant and syncing it with the national grid.
In order to further harness Thar Coal reserves, he submitted that the railway link from Thar to the national network is essential to open up the market for Thar Coal beyond mine-mouth power plants. This will not only reduce substantial tariff cost for the lignite-fired plants but will also save $350 million annually as foreign exchange, Rizvi argued.
Following the presentation, Shahzad Qasim and Imtiaz Shaikh also witnessed final touch work at SECMC mining and Engro Powergen Thar Limited power plants and took a keen interest in Thar Foundation social development projects. They also drove with women dump truck drivers and visited New Senhri Dars Resettlement village where he met with newly moved dwellers from old Senhri Dars village to 1100 yards modern resettlement.
The SECMC spokesman informed that Prime Minister has tasked Shahzad Qasim to work with the Power Division and Task Force on Energy to develop a plan for resource mobilization for addressing the Circular Debt issue and to develop a plan for optimum funding of a Power Sector Support Fund in the light of international best practices, while keeping in view the political, economic and social fabric of the country.