The geo-scientists of Pakistan have stressed the need for speedy efforts towards exploiting indigenous Thar coal resources to overcome energy crises. They were speaking at the national seminar on "Coal of Sindh-Endeavours for Empowering Pakistan", organised by National Centre of Excellence in Pure and Applied Geology, University of Sindh, in collaboration with Weatherford Oil Tools M.E and Pakistan Petroleum Limited, on Saturday.
Vice Chancellor, University of Sindh Professor Dr Nazir A. Mughal presided over the seminar. Speaking on the occasion, he said that energy crisis in Pakistan has reached an alarming stage and has stilted industrial growth and economic development. Referring to relevant data, he said that it is surprising that 90 percent coal is lying in the province of Sindh, which can cater to the energy needs of the country for years.
While appreciating the effort of holding the seminar, he said that energy production through imported furnace oil has brought the economy to a critical stage, adding that the situation demands all out efforts to exploit and utilise indigenous resources. The VC said that coal is claimed to be part of our energy mix but in-spite of discovery of huge deposits, progress in utilising them has unfortunately been almost zero. He further said that it is ironic that the deposits discovered in mid 80s have yet to be utilised. Although with limited options available in facing energy crises, concentrated efforts should have been made to overcome all impediments in expiation and utilisation of the resource.
Professor Dr Mughal said that there is now some hope that coal utilisation will be initiated with the gasification process going operational next month. He added that a memorandum of understanding has also been signed with Chinese and British mining companies for exploitation of Thar coal, saying power generation is expected to start by the mid of 2012.
Addressing the participants, chief guest of the seminar and eminent geo-scientist and Secretary General of Association of Asian Academies of Science, Dr Muhammad Qasim Jan said that Pakistan is facing sever energy crises and asserted that Thar coal is the only indigenous source to overcome energy crises. He highlighted facts and figures regarding Sindh Coal Authority. He reiterated that we are not taking advantage of the available source of coal, which can be a major source of energy. Dr Jan said that Pakistan could benefit for 100 years if Thar coal is fully exploited, stressing the need to make speedy efforts and benefit from latest technology in this regard. He said that exploiting the resource will help slowdown migration of rural population to urban areas.
In his keynote speech, Director General Geological Survey of Pakistan, Dr Imran Ahmed Khan said energy supply is a big problem in our country and demand and supply is rising. He feared that by 2030, there will be a high gap in the demand and supply of energy. He termed indigenous sources of coal a big hope, saying we must rely on this indigenous source. Dean Faculty of Natural Science, Dr Muhammad Tahir Rajput said that under the current circumstances where energy crises is the talk of the town, the geology centre has very rightly organised the national conference on coal of Sindh. He informed that every year, faculty of natural sciences organises various workshops, conferences to provide a platform to scientists to upgrade and exchange their knowledge with fellow scientists and students. Expressing his views, Dr Sarfraz Hussain Solangi, Director of Centre for Pure and Applied Geology said that coal will be a major source to sustain energy needs.