THERE were smiles all around in Islamkot, Tharparkar on Friday. Finally, after much procrastination, a project to extract coal from underneath the sands of Thar was launched, paving the way for the state and private investors to tap the considerable energy potential of the area. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Zardari jointly launched the project, which is a collaboration between the Sindh government and Engro, a private concern. The cooperation of the PML-N and PPP in this regard is proof that should our politicians so choose, it is very much possible to come together on key national issues such as the energy crisis. We hope similar bonhomie is displayed in order to tackle other issues of national importance such as the economy and law and order. But what is of prime importance is how far this project and similar endeavours will go to address Pakistan’s energy crisis. A 660MW coal-based power plant is due to come online by 2017, but the project is said to have the capacity to generate 5,000MW overall. For an energy-starved nation that has seen much socio-economic turmoil caused by the power crisis, these are enticing numbers. The Thar coalfield is said to have reserves of up to 175 billion tonnes; if even a percentage of this can be tapped, it will do much to ensure Pakistan’s energy security. We need a more intelligent energy mix, as depending on expensive imported furnace oil is not sustainable. Many believe that exploiting more local coal reserves may be Pakistan’s best option to overcome the power crisis.

Although the Thar project — and we hope it is not subjected to more delays — is crucial to meeting our energy needs, there is also the issue of local people’s rights which must be safeguarded as the project continues. Local villagers protested on Friday, calling for adequate compensation and proper resettlement. Citizens affected by the project must be given a fair price for their land and resettled in areas where they have access to the basic necessities of life. It would not be fair if Thar coal benefits the whole nation, while those living on the land underneath which it is extracted do not taste the fruits of progress.