HYDERABAD: President Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Sardar Mohammad Masood Khan on Saturday said that Thar Coal Block II would soon prove to be the best public private partnership model in Pakistan.
While, the Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Dostain Jamaldeeni had desired to replicate the community development model of Thar Foundation in Gwadar, as he firmly believes that “Thar will transform Pakistan”
Both were talking to media after a daylong visit to Thar Coal Block II. The delegation also included Director General Planning and Development (GPA) Muneer Baloch, and other senior officials of President Secretariat, AJK Government.
The President AJK considered the success of Thar Coal Block II project as it would boost the confidence of local as well as international investors, and ‘the Thar Dream’ will bring mammoth investment in Thar.
“SECMC’s development model is also unmatchable in Pakistan, others should replicate it, as local community was provided jobs, education and health facilities,” he said.
Mr. Masood said that the project management model will pave new paths of growth in Pakistan as well as cost-effective business model in Pakistan’s industrial development.
Mr. Jamaldeeni considered that Gwadar and Thar have similarities in terms of under development and backwardness, but the regions are highly rich in terms of resources.
“Policymakers of Balochistan should learn from the success stories of Thar Coal Block II and introduce similar practices in respective areas,” he said.
Earlier, the President AJK and the delegation was briefed on mining, power and community development projects by Shamsuddin Shaikh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and Thar Foundation.
Mr. Shaikh said that they were very close to touch the first seam of the indigenous coal as the mining project had achieved the depth of 125 meters.
“We are just few meters away to exploit the commercial production of coal, which would enable us to produce first electron at the end of this year,” he said.
He said that they are providing technical skills to youth and would deploy Thari youth on engineering department.
Later, the delegation visited 3.8 MPTA open pit coal mining, 660MWs power plant, Biosaline agriculture project, resettlement village called New Senhri Dars, Marvi Clinic, Skill Development Center, Ansari Green Park and Thar Foundation Schools. The delegation also interacted and drove with the Women Dump Truck Drivers.
EPTL Asim Saeed briefed the delegation about 660MWs power plant, Biosaline Agriculture Projects, Thar Foundation projects, green initiatives, mining project and Women Dump Truck Driving Program.
Published in Daily Times, April 1st 2018.
