March 9, 2002	Saturday	Zilhaj 24, 1422

KARACHI, March 8: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday directed the Sindh Government to complete the implementation of National Mineral Policy by March 23 this year.

He issued the directive at a high level meeting held at the Governor House where he was given a detailed briefing on Thar Coal project.

The briefing was attended by Sindh Governor, Mohammedmian Soomro, Federal Finance Minister, Shaukat Aziz, Petroleum Minister, Usman Aminuddin, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr. Shahid Amjad, Corps Commanders of Karachi and Quetta, Provincial Ministers and senior officers.

The President directed that feasibility study of the Thar Coal Project, which Chinese have committed to undertake, should be completed in 18 months.

On his directive, the geological survey of Pakistan would start drilling for quality determination within 15 days and complete the same in six months.

President Pervez Musharraf was also briefed about possible utilization of coal deposits: first for power generation, second for processing industries like cement, sugar and fertilizer and third for gasification of Towns.—APP