The Chief Minister Sindh being the Chairman of the Board said that the Thar Coal and Energy projects are essential for the development and progress of not only for Thar area but will also bring prosperity throughout Pakistan.

He added that the work of eight different blocks allotted to different firms and companies is in progress and the work of generation of gas from coal and power is expected soon.

An official statement said that the meeting discussed long agenda and took various decisions.

It said that the meeting reviewed Islamkot airport scheme and it was decided to invite either the President or Prime Minster for the ground breaking ceremony which is expected in May this year.

The Board also reviewed the progress of the meeting of the energy working group and decided to from a committee comprising of Minister for Finance, Minister for Irrigation and Ms. Rubina Saadat Qaimkkhani MNA to hold meeting with the Minister/Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to get the proposal of Sindh Engro Joint Venture to the Chinese counterpart and also expedite meeting of the joint energy working group.

The Board also decided to nominate Zubair Motiwala, Advisor to CM Sindh on Investment, as a private member against the vacancy due to resignation of Asad Ali Shah.

Besides, in order to evaluate the expressions of interest received in response to the international competitive bidding undertaking by the government of Sindh for the four developed blocks of Thar coalfield, for which five member evaluation committee were approved.

Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Investments, Zubair Motiwala, will be the convener of committee while Qaiser Bengali, Advisor to CM for Planning and Development, Federal Secretary Water and Power (or his representative), Director (Projects), PPIB, Ministry of Water and Power, lslamabad, and Secretary Coal and Energy Development Department will be the members.

The Board also reviewed the TCEB Act (with functions, powers, financial matters) and is due to be tabled as a bill in the next session of Sindh Assembly.

The Board also reviewed and approved the Interim Resettlement of Framework guideline for Thar Coal.

The Thar Coal Board meeting was attended among others by Sindh Revenue Minister, Jam Mehtab Dahar, Sindh Minister for Finance, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Minister for Irrigation, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Chief Secretary Sindh, Abdul Subhan Memon, Secretary Thar coal and Energy Department, Aijaz Ali khan, Secretary to CM, Alum Din Bullo and others.