KARACHI: The Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) that works in partnership with the Sindh government in the Thar Coal project, has distanced itself from the views of its former chief executive officer Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh, whose resignation from the post was accepted on Tuesday

In a statement issued by the company on Thursday, it categorically and vehemently refuted Mr Shaikh’s allegation of the Sindh government being callous to Thar’s issues. It described Mr Shaikh’s claims, published in Dawn’s Nov 29 issue under the headline ‘Ex-CEO says he quit SECMC over Sindh govt’s ‘callousness’ to Thar’s issues’, as his personal views.

The statement says: “These views are not endorsed by Engro Corporation or its associated entities and affiliates in any way. The company works in partnership with the Sindh government in the Thar Coal project and has always appreciated the much needed support that has consistently been provided for realisation of this mission. In addition to being the largest equity partner in SECMC, the Government of Sindh has provided the back up for the sovereign guarantee of $700M (USD) for the mining project and developed key infrastructure in the region without which the project would not have progressed”.

It says the SECMC is a brilliant example of a public-private partnership model. While challenges remain, the company is confident in delivering the landmark Thar Coal project as per the communicated timelines, according to the statement.

It makes it clear that with the support of Sindh government and other sponsors, the commercial operation date of the 3.8 million tonnes per annum coal [production] and the [commissioning of] 660MW power plant remains on track.

Separately, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information Barrister Murtaza Wahab also reacted strongly to Mr Shaikh’s remarks. In his statement, Mr Wahab said: “It seems that Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh has found an exciting career opportunity whose first requirement is to bash his former employers and the enablers of the project, the provincial government of Sindh.”

He described Mr Shaikh’s remarks as “unfortunate, uncalled for and contrary to reality”.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2018