KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has strongly dismissed speculations of a system collapse, inviting critics to witness the remarkable success of the Thar coal project. Addressing the media following the Mining Technical Conference, the Chief Minister firmly stated that the Sindh Assembly has repeatedly and unanimously rejected the division of the province, emphasizing that any constitutional process regarding new provinces requires a two-thirds majority. While acknowledging that debate on the matter and peaceful, permitted protest are democratic rights, he cautioned that causing public inconvenience under the guise of protest will not be tolerated.
Turning to agricultural policy, CM Murad announced that while the cabinet has initially approved 500,000 tonnes of wheat procurement, provisions for up to 1 million tonnes have been kept to safeguard the livelihoods of local farmers.
Earlier, addressing the Mining Technical Conference, the Chief Minister highlighted that the Thar project’s success is a testament to the synergy between local communities, investors, and the government, serving as a viable model that should be replicated across Pakistan’s mineral sector.
Echoing these sentiments, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) CEO Amir Iqbal shared that the conference featured international experts from Germany, the UK, Japan, and the Middle East, highlighting Pakistan’s vast, untapped reserves of gold and copper. He noted growing interest from US and local firms, announced upcoming ventures like the “Coal-to-Fertilizer Gasification” project, and revealed plans to transition to grid electricity by 2028 to reduce operational costs, alongside inviting the Chief Minister to inaugurate Thar Coal Phase III in October.
