Coal-based power plant to start production in Dec: Murad

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the electricity generated by coal-based power plant will be transmitted in the national grid in December 2018.

While addressing a delegation of participants of National Security and War Course-2019 of National Defence University, Syed Murad Ali Shah said that Thar is game changer and “we have changed the game by excavating coal and now going to transmit first electron in the national grid in December 2018.”

Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, Chairman P&D Mohammad Waseem, IG Police Kaleem Imam and provincial secretaries were also present on the occasion.

The Sindh CM said that the achievement of open pit mining, installation of coal-fired power plant and production of electricity has a long and painful history. “The coal mining and coal-based power project plan was initiated by Shaheed Mohterma Benazir Bhutto during her second tenure and her successive government not only scrapped the project but dishonored international commitment,” he said and added therefore no international firm was ready to invest in Thar.

Shah said that when all the doors were found close the provincial government in partnership with Engro formed a company and started mining work. “With the grace of Almighty Allah coal has been produced from the mine and coal-based power plant is also at the completion stage and in December 2018 we would start producing electricity from the coal,” he added.

“The Sindh government has invested over $1 billion dollar to develop road network, airport and other facilities in Thar, this is why Thar has become land of opportunities where investment in coal mining power generation, tourism, hotel industry, transport and in other sectors is actively attracting investors,” he said.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah replying to a question said that the 18th constitutional amendment has strengthened the federation. After the 18th amendment provincial governments have become administratively, financially and democratically strong. Its fruits are being harvested by all the provincial governments. He said that Sindh has become financially a little strong with the creation of SRB which collects services on sales. Similarly, Punjab has become financially stronger.