SAHIWAL: The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC) along with farmers from 150 villages staged a demonstration outside the Sahiwal coal-fired power plant near Qadirabad to mark the ‘Asia Day of Action Against Coal’ on Tuesday.

Villagers from 77/5-R, 76/5-R, 76/5-R, Yousafwala, and Qadirabad demanded the phasing out of coal power plants in Pakistan by 2030.

Carrying banners, placards, and other materials, the demonstrators called for an end to fossil fuel dependency and urged the government to transition toward renewable energy sources.

Later, they held a press conference at the Sahiwal Press Club and distributed pamphlets to commuters on the GT Road.

Demand end to coal financing and investment in alternative energy

PKRC General Secretary Farooq Tariq told Dawn that the protest was part of a broader regional campaign spanning seven Asian countries. He said that civil society groups and local communities had mobilised to demand phasing out of outdated, highly polluting coal plants that threaten environmental and public health.

“Coal is the leading contributor to Asia’s pollution, climate disasters, and health crises. Pakistan currently operates 12 coal-fired plants, generating 18pc of the country’s electricity. The Sahiwal plant alone produces 1,320 MW,” he said.

Mr Tariq said that the Sahiwal, Port Qasim, and the Hub coal power plants relied on imported coal, significantly increasing operational costs. He claimed that the Sahiwal plant had received Rs95 billion in government capacity payments, while other independent power producers collectively received Rs900 billion without generating a single unit of electricity - an amount equivalent to Pakistan’s defense budget.

He said, “These white elephants are a heavy burden on the national economy. Pakistan must begin a staged phase-out and bring coal generation to zero.”

He said that under the Paris Agreement, Pakistan must take concrete steps to phase out coal by 2030. He said, “Local youth deserve employment opportunities, especially as agriculture has suffered since the plant began operations.”

Farooq cited increased flooding, erratic rainfall, heatwaves, and economic losses as consequences of coal-based energy. He also criticised the government and corporate narratives promoting ‘clean coal’ and ‘transition fuels’ as misleading. “There is no such thing as clean coal. We need a just, fully funded phase-out plan that protects workers, communities, and the planet,” he added.

Local farmer Muhammad Sadiq shared concerns about deteriorating health conditions and declining groundwater levels in villages near the plant. Protesters demanded an end to coal financing and called for investment in companies promoting alternative energy solutions. They emphasised that coal power plants were driving Pakistan deeper into circular debt.

The protesters demanded rollback of the Sahiwal plant, which was built a decade ago on Punjab’s most fertile agricultural land. They accused both the Punjab government and the plant management of failing to fulfill promises made to local communities.

Speakers at the event included Ikhlaq Ahmed, Riffat Masood, Muhammad Saddique, and Husain.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2025