Thar coal being developed beyond power generation: Sharjeel

Business Recorder reported that Sindh plans to broaden Thar coal’s role beyond electricity supply, with Block-II’s yearly production capability raised from 7.6 million tonnes to 11.2 million tonnes. The resulting additional 3.6 million tonnes could serve industrial users alongside power stations. Sharjeel Inam Memon said work is also under way to make the coal more suitable for industrial applications.

A separate rail link project connecting Thar to the national network is 68 percent complete, while the minister said sales to industrial buyers would not add costs to electricity tariffs. He cited possible ventures involving methanol, chemicals and coal gasification, as well as research into using coal as an industrial input rather than only as fuel. The stated plans place local resource use, infrastructure and energy security within Sindh’s wider industrial development agenda.