My recent visit to Tharparkar was enlightening yet disappointing. It was amazing to learn about Pakistan’s treasure trove of resources but nevertheless a little disappointing that much of it remains untapped.

Coal deposits of the area have around 40 per cent of water and could position Pakistan right next to Saudia Arabia and Iran in the field of energy as the reserves are 42 times more than their gas reserves. After refining, coal releases effective fertilisers.

While a number of British statesmen consider coal the ‘lifeline’ of the United Kingdom, the energy consumption of Pakistan shows only 9 per cent utilisation of coal out of which only 0.1 per cent is used for power generation. In comparison with other countries, Pakistan lags way behind since coal is responsible for 72 per cent of China’s power needs, 56 per cent of Indian needs, the US utilises more than 50 per cent of coal for power generation. Globally, the share of coal in power generation is 38 per cent, compared to 0.1percent in Pakistan.

Pakistan has huge lignite coal reserves, and it is critically important to include these in the energy mix of Pakistan. Taking cumulative savings into account, due to devaluation of the Pakistani currency and fluctuation in oil prices, fuel replacement from oil to coal could save Pakistan $87billion from just one block of the Thar Coal fields alone till 2070. Considering the savings, the trade-off between environment and economy seems to be a viable option.

Research shows that the contribution to GDP through manufacturing plants, products, services, employment, etc. would fall somewhere between $200 - $300 billion, which would clearly exceed the total GDP of Pakistan.

The Thar coal project site was discovered in 1989 and has been functional since 1992 yet the authorities are either unaware or not keen on reaping full benefits of this great facility and work is still in slow pace. Sources say that a local and a US-based company are working together on the site presently.

Financial issues seem to be the main impedance in the progress of the project. Experienced staff, modern digging material and proper training preferably by the manufacturers of the machinery could help speed up development. Government authorities should focus on this project by bringing in finance, training technicians and staff from other countries.

Today, all great nations have built themselves on foundations set in coal. It is about time that Pakistan realises its true potential and builds itself on the same, so that the future is dependent on our own resources rather than international aid.

On the way to Nagarparkar, one sees some beautiful places like Karoonjhar Jabal and other historical monuments which if promoted would attract tourism and foreign investors, hence resulting in enhancement of the economic sector. Many such sites remain unknown because the roads have only been constructed recently through the difficult desert terrain.