Punjab Governor Assures Full Support to Pakistan Coal Association
Punjab Governor Assures Full Support to Pakistan Coal Association
LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Salim Haider Khan met with a delegation from the Pakistan Coal Association, led by President Muhammad Saqlain Abbas, at the Governor’s House Lahore.
Governor Khan pledged full support in resolving the association’s pressing issues.
Governor Salim Haider Khan highlighted the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) revolutionary impact on the national economy through coal-based energy projects in Thar. He noted that the Thar Coal Block 2 initiative, launched by the Sindh government, has generated employment for over 17,000 local residents to date. Emphasizing Tharparkar’s significance, he stated, "Thar’s coal reserves are the only viable solution to Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis."
Reflecting on historical developments, the Governor observed that work on the Thar Coal project began under Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s leadership but stalled after her government’s tenure ended.
"In 2008, President Asif Ali Zardari revived Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s vision by restarting the Thar Coal initiative," he added. Governor Khan commended the Pakistan Coal Association for its "praiseworthy role" in ensuring uninterrupted coal supply to industries nationwide.
Shifting focus to Punjab’s potential, Governor Khan spotlighted Cholistan’s coal reserves under the "Sand to Energy – Cholistan, A New Thar" initiative. He projected that harnessing these resources could attract billions in investment, stating, "Cholistan’s development promises not just energy security but also socio-economic prosperity. This region can emerge as an industrial hub."
He advocated integrating desert tourism with modern industrial growth to unlock new opportunities. Addressing operational hurdles, the Governor raised concerns about coal transporters facing "unnecessary checking and harassment" in Punjab, which disrupts supply chains. "A permanent resolution to this issue is imperative," he urged.
Concluding his remarks, Governor Khan asserted, "Cholistan’s coal isn’t merely an industrial project—it’s a revolutionary opportunity for Punjab’s economic transformation, capable of altering the region’s destiny."
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