KARACHI, Jan 14: A four-member delegation of the World Bank mission for proposed Thar Coal and Power Assistance called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday.

Led by Michael Stanley, the delegation apprised the chief minister about technicalities of the project and said that one block of the coal field had been developed under a joint programme.

He said that two million dollars were provided to the economic affairs division and expressed the hope that the amount would soon be released to the Sindh government. Besides, he said, an additional assistance of 28 million dollars would be provided soon.

The funds would be used for development of Thar coal field, he said, adding that the international bidding for the first block would be invited in June 2009.

The chief minister appreciated the World Bank’s technical assistance and cooperation for the Thar Coal and Power Plant Project. He said the mega project was started during the previous government of the Pakistan People’s Party, and hoped that it would be completed soon with the cooperation of the international community.

Mr Shah was of the view that the second block of the coal field would also be developed under joint cooperation.

Provincial Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Kathu Mal Jeewan, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Secretary Mines and Mineral Development and others attended the meeting. —APP