IT is an elating moment for the nation that the Thar coal project has started electricity generation of approximately 330 megawatt. The power supply to the national grid has also commenced from the power plant.

The treasure buried underneath Thar’s sands is estimated to be worth $25 trillion and will be a boon for Pakistan when extracted. This can help produce 100,000 megawatts of electricity for the next two centuries.

The energy Thar holds is more than the combined energy reserves of Saudi Arabia and Iran while it is 68 times higher than Pakistan’s total gas reserves. This 9,000-sq km area holds the key to the prosperity of Pakistan. Therefore, it should be given due importance.

The federal and Sindh governments need to develop infrastructure and improve the human resources of the area to make Thar an asset which generates employment for locals.

Nasir Soomro
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2019