AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad: Government should pay proper attention to exploit treasure buried in Thar to contain energy crisis, cut oil import bill, provide jobs and boost economy, FPCCI said Sunday.
This project is a must for revenue generation, future progress and national security of the country; it is the only option for survival, it said.
Lack of coordination between provincial and federal governments has been keeping Thar Coal from alleviate sufferings of people and economy, said Tariq Mehmood, Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Health and Director Pak-UK Business Council, FPCCI.
He said that Pakistan cannot afford to delay exploitation of one of the world’s largest lignite deposits spread over more than 9,000 km.
175 billion tonnes of coal matching oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Qatar can ensure energy security for centuries by providing around 100000 MW of electricity, he said.
Tariq Mahmood who is also President Attock Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan can provide affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity to consumers and earn huge foreign exchange by exporting power.
Presently, around 30 per cent of energy is being imported disturbing budget; the oil import bill will swell to 120-130 billion dollars in eight years when we will require 26000 MW to keep the economy moving, he added.
He said that the situation calls for urgent and decisive action as the business community and economists have never approved unplanned and short-term measures.
Government should not waste the skills of Dr Samar Mubarkmand and funds should be immediately released for Thar coal project otherwise the project may collapse, he warned.
Germany, China and India are generating 80 per cent, 73 per cent and 63 per cent of electricity on coal while we have only one small 20MV unit working in the country which will be shut soon.
Government’s non-serious attitude, credibility, dearth of infrastructure, want of incentives, low coordination, failure to resolve tariff and coal pricing issues are some problems that need to be addressed, he demanded.
Tariq Mehmood asked the Chief Justice to look personally into the matter, bring to book the lobbies disrupting relations between government and investors, inquire the role of influential oil lobby and investigate the reasons behind underutilisation of reserves discovered back in 1991.
For more information, contact:
Syed Masood Alam Rizvi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road, Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: +9221 3587 3691
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk