Sindh to Draft Policy on Producing Liquid Gas and Fertilizer from Coal

Karachi, In a significant move towards sustainable energy solutions, Sindh’s Minister of Energy, Development, and Planning, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has announced plans to develop a provincial-level draft policy focused on the production of liquid gas and REA fertilizers from Thar coal. The decision came during a high-level meeting of the Sindh Coal Authority, indicating a strategic pivot to leverage the region’s vast coal reserves for energy and agricultural products.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Sindh, the meeting featured key participants including Sindh Coal Authority Chairman, Consultant Dr. Farid A. Malik, Deputy Director Asif Mangi, and Umeer Ali Qaimkhani. They reviewed test results and a new report submitted by the consultant, which highlighted Thar coal’s suitability for gasification based on evaluations conducted in an international laboratory in South Africa. This development opens the door to significant annual savings of approximately 500 million dollars in foreign exchange through reduced gas imports.

The initiative aims to capitalize on Thar’s estimated 175 billion tons of coal reserves to cut the energy import bill by 50%, while also mitigating pollution through the adoption of green coal technology. The meeting also addressed the environmental impact of traditional gas-fired energy production, underscoring the need for a shift towards more sustainable methods.

Minister Shah’s forthcoming discussions with the Federal Minister for Energy underscore the collaborative approach required to advance coal gasification projects. This policy could mark a turning point for Pakistan in energy independence and environmental sustainability, highlighting the potential of Thar coal to transform the country’s energy and agricultural sectors.