AJK president terms Thar Coal project 'unmatchable'

Terming Thar Coal Block II projects unmatchable, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Mohammad Masood Khan has said that Thar Coal Block II soon going to prove the best public private partnership model in Pakistan. The Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Dostain Jamaldeeni has desired to replicate the community development model of Thar Foundation in Gwadar, as he firmly believes that "Thar will transform Pakistan."
They were talking to media persons after a daylong visit to Thar Coal Block II held here on Saturday. The delegation also included Muneer Baloch, Director General Planning and Development, GPA and other senior officials of President Secretariat, AJK Government. The President AJK was of the view that the success of Thar Coal Block II project will boost the confidence of local as well as international investors, as the Thar Dream will bring mammoth investment in Thar.
"SECMC's development model is also unmatchable in Pakistan, others should also replicate the same, as local community is being involved not only in jobs, but unprecedented education and health facilities were being provided," he said. He said that the project management model will pave new paths of growth in Pakistan and cost-effective business model in Pakistan's industrial development regime.
The Chairman GPA Dostain Jamaldeeni was of the view that Gwadar and Thar have similarities in terms of under development and backwardness, but the regions are rich in resources. "Policymakers of Balochistan should learn from the success stories of Thar Coal Block II and introduce similar practice in respective areas," he said.
Earlier, the President AJK and the delegation were 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. Shamsuddin Shaikh said that they are very close to touch the first seam of the indigenous coal as the mining project has achieved the depth of 125 meters. "We are just few meters away to exploit the commercial production of coal, which would enable us to producing first electron at the end of this year," he said.
He said that besides providing technical skill to the local youth, they are ensuring employing meritorious Thari youth on engineering related positions. 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 with the Women Dump Truck Drivers and drove with them.
Asim Saeed of EPTL briefed the delegation about 660MWs power plant, Brigadier Tariq Lakhair on Biosaline Agriculture Projects, Naseer Memon on Thar Foundation projects, Umair Aslam Butt on green initiatives, Dileep Kumar on mining project and Jahan Ara on Women Dump Truck Driving Programme. EOM