KARACHI: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to supporting communities affected by the Thar Coal project after a crucial meeting at its Karachi office.

Chaired by NCHR Member (Sindh) Anis Haroon, the meeting brought together community advocates and residents to discuss the adverse impacts of the coal mining expansion in Coal Block II.

The meeting focused on the government’s proposal to increase coal extraction in Block II from 7.6 million tonnes to 11.2 million tonnes annually, coupled with a 9 per cent coal price reduction.

The participants expressed concerns that this expansion could displace additional villages, damage farmland, pollute groundwater and destroy grazing lands.

Concern raised over likely displacement of 8,000 villagers

Mehwish Leghari of the Pakistan Research Institute for Development and Equity (PRIDE) criticised a recent public consultation by the Thar Coal and Energy Board (TCEB) in Karachi regarding the price adjustments and mining expansion in Thar Coalfield Block-II (TCB-II).

“Officials painted a rosy picture of Tharparkar while an 8,000-strong village faces relocation. The community strongly opposed the expansion,” she said.

Journalist Suhail Sangi raised concerns about the scarcity of ecological assessments and said: “Despite extensive mining, credible environmental studies are lacking. Thar’s energy powers other regions, yet the area itself lacks electricity and rail connectivity. The planned railway will serve coal transport, not local needs.”

Residents of Tharparkar, traveling from Mithi and Islamkot, expressed frustration over employment disparities.

“Outsiders from Punjab, Kashmir, even China get the jobs, leaving local Tharis unemployed,” explained Surendar Singh and Harchand Bheel.

They also reported non-functional water purification plants and the non-existence of several government schools and hospitals.

Baiji Bheel highlighted the construction of a new 200-acre dam in Vijaya, noting the illegal excavation of natural ponds for soil, despite a court order, jeopardising water resources.

Community representatives, including Wasatullah Halepoto, Abdul Aziz, Deedar Ali, and Mohammad Bux Soomro said. “Residents of Blocks I and II have already been displaced; now Block III faces the same threat. A village faces eviction by December 2025. This is state injustice.”

Rights activists like Noorani of Women’s Action Forum), lawyer Rubina Chandio and Seema Maheshwari pledged support to the affected communities, promising legal and advocacy assistance.

Anis Haroon emphasised the Commission’s ongoing advocacy for Tharparkar since 2016. “We will hold a press conference and a public hearing in Tharparkar,” Haroon announced. “The Sindh government must be accountable for the social, cultural, and environmental damage from coal mining. Tharparkar’s once-renowned religious harmony is now threatened.”

Zeenia Shaukat, director of The Knowledge Forum, highlighted the serious environmental risks posed by coal mining to the local ecosystem.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2025