ISLAMABAD, Jan 20: Pakistan has coal reserves of more than 186 billion tons to generate thousands of megawatt electricity through coal-based thermal power plants aimed at meeting the country's requirement.

According to reserves' data collected by the ministry of petroleum and natural resources for the ministry of water and power, these reserves have been identified in various parts of the country.

When contacted officials of the ministry of water and power, confirmed the data released by Pakistan Power Infrastructure Board regarding coal reserves.

They said Pakistan has rich local resource potential for power generation. These reserves include the recently discovered huge deposits of coal, estimated around 175.5 billion tons, in Tharparker area in Sindh province.

Significant coal deposits suitable for power generation are available at Sonda and Lakhra areas in Sindh province, in Salt range area of Punjab province, and at several coal fields in the province of Balochistan.

As per the Geological Survey of Pakistan, the breakup of coal deposits in the four provinces is as follows: Sindh 184.6 billion tons, Punjab 0.256 billion tons, Balochistan 0.195 billion tons, and NWFP 0.081 billion tons.-APP