MITHI: Minister for Interior, Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Friday said that despite crises created by unscrupulous elements the federal government had ended energy shortage in the country.

Talking to journalists after a daylong visit to mining and power projects in Thar Coal Block II, the minister came down hard on those elements who, instead of focusing on improving the economy, were creating hurdles by staging sit-ins.

He asked opposition parties to shun the politics of sit-ins and instead work for the improvement of economy.

He said foundation had been laid to make Thar the energy capital of Pakistan and added that the federal government would also set up a university in the area.

Updates and progress

Mr Iqbal, during a briefing, was informed by Shamsuddin Shaikh, chief executive officer of the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, about the status and progress of the mining and power plant operations.

Parties staging sit-ins instead of focusing on boosting economy slammed

The minister visited the 2x330MW power plants and witnessed the progress of coal mine excavation work and inaugurated a safe drinking water plant in Seengario village.

He also visited an under-construction model house at Senhri Dars Resettlement Model Village.

He met women dumper truck drivers and lauded their efforts for joining the tough job to set an example for other women to emulate. “Our country will not make progress without active participation of women,” he stressed.

He said the Thar coal energy project was a glowing example of cooperation between the Sindh and federal governments.

“If the provincial and the federal governments continue to cooperate with each other on projects like Thar coal, no one can stop the economic development of the country,” the minister declared.

Mr Iqbal said he was pleased to witness the revolution and change taking place in Thar because of Thar coal energy projects.

He said that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), all provinces would get equal share from respective projects.

The minister said that Thar coalfield and its projects had been included in the CPEC by the federal government and different power plants being installed in Thar Coal Block-II would produce more than 4,000MW of electricity soon.

He said the government was competing with India and other contemporary economies by improving the country’s economy, adding that countries like India and Bangladesh had not progressed through sit-ins, but instead they focused on their core issues, particularly their economies.

Mr Iqbal praised the role of the Chinese government and its people for helping Pakistan in different projects being completed under the CPEC.

The minister said that economic benefits of the CPEC were equal both for Pakistan and China, adding that the Thar coal energy project was a glowing example of cooperation between the Sindh and federal governments.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2017