Thar coal can transform Saarc into energy rich area

 Saarc most energy poor region in the world

Millions of lives, economies can be transformed by access to energy

Islamabad: Dated: July 29

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday said Saarc is the most energy deficient region in the world which has made it home to the majority of the poor living on earth.

Tens of millions of lives can be transformed in Pakistan and whole region by giving masses the access to affordable energy, it said.

Economies can be energised by tackling the problem of energy scarcity for which best use of Thar coal has become imperative, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Talking to the business community, she said that proper management of Thar coal can resolve issues like stalled economic progress, wealth distribution gaps, high unemployment, soaring inflation and rising oil import bill.

She said that at the twelfth SAARC Summit, the heads of states agreed to strengthen energy cooperation for accelerated and balanced economic growth but little has been done in the last nine years.

Farida Rashid said that all the members of Saarc except Bhutan are energy deficient and oil importing countries which will face a minimum of 200 per cent hike in energy demand in the next fourteen years.

In the region, 29 per cent of energy demand in satisfied with oil, 48 pc with coal, 15 pc with natural gas, 7 pc with hydel and one pc with nuclear energy, she said adding that energy mix of majority of the countries is not sustainable.

Farida Rashid said that there is a direct relationship between economic growth and increased demand of energy as well as its continuous supply.

She said that it is very important to explore all possible options to ensure and enhance regular supply of energy to support the economic growth and help alleviate poverty.

Saarc is home to 23 per cent of total world population where 500 million lives below the poverty line that deserves a better life.

Further delay in exploitation of Thar coal will have very negative consequences for Pakistan, warned Farida Rashid.

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Islamabad: June 25

The Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Tuesday said precious resource of Thar coal is lying unexploited due to want of coordinated efforts therefore government should consider establishing a coal ministry to exploit its potential.

The 175 billion tonnes of coal, sixth largest in the world, was discovered 23 years back that could not be put to work so far despite the fact that it can to meet the country’s and neighbouring nationsfuel requirements for centuries, it said.

Pakistan has emerged as one of the leading countries, seventh in the list of top 20 countries of the world after the discovery of huge lignite coal resources which must be exploited, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Speaking to business community, she said that countries have lesser coal than Pakistan have coal ministries which ensure smooth flow of things.

Different federal and provincial departments, warring over petty matters, have only wasted time and funds to make the situation worst casting a dark shadow on the future of the country, she said.

She noted that despite decades of efforts, Pakistan is yet to claim any success on coal front therefore it should find an alternative solution to find support of other countries.

Farida Rashid said that coal has met nearly half of the rise in global energy demand over the last decade, growing faster even than total renewables while there are 1004 billion tonnes of coal reserves left which is equivalent to 130 years of global output.

Coal use in India continues to rise and by 2025 it will overtake the United States as the world’s second-largest user meaning that it will need to import more coal while Thar coal may be most economical for her.

Currently India imports coal from Indonesia, South Africa and Australia to satisfy annual deficit of 204 million tonnes.

According to World Coal Association, presently India is producing around 585 million tonnes of coal while importing 105 million tonnes and exporting nothing.

Converting captive power plants on coal may settle gas crisis while conversion of state-run power plants can resolve issue of budget deficit.

Pakistan’s economy’s steady drift towards collapse can be averted if a powerful coal ministry or a regulatory authority is established, she said.

Farida termed statement of Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thar coal and Iran gas pipeline project highly encouraging.

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