Pakistan hands over Thar coal project to Sindh: Khaleej Times

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan government has finally handed over the development of Thar coal project to the Sindh government, mainly to expedite the building of a 1000MW coal-fired power plant at a cost of $1.5 billion.

A senior government official told this correspondent that tussle that had been delaying the project has ended with the Centre agreeing to a 'supporting role' for itself in the $1.5 billion project while the Sindh administration 'spearhead' and sort out all the issues relating to the project.

He also said that the federal government has set up a Sindh Coal Authority by abolishing two existing federal and provincial agencies to expedite mining, development and gasification of Thar and other coal deposits in Sindh. A formal notification to this effect was issued by the Prime Minister Secretariat yesterday that technically empowers provincial government to take all decisions relating to coal development and power generation in consultation with provincial and federal agencies.

Headed by chief minister of Sindh, the authority will comprise federal minister and secretary water and power, a provincial minister to be nominated by the chief minister, chief secretary sindh and managing director Thar Coal Authority. The authority has come into effect immediately as Sindh Coal Authority (SCA) - a provincial agency - and Thar Coal Mining Company - a joint venture of federal and Sindh government - have been abolished, says the notification issued by federal government.

The authority will act as one stop organisation on behalf of all ministries, departments and agencies of the federal and provincial governments in mining, development, leasing and sub-leasing of Thar coal area. This will also be responsible for development of clean coal technologies, research and development, gasification, bracketing on Thar coal.

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