Thar coalfields emerge as Pakistan’s energy cornerstone, transforming Sindh’s resources into a powerful symbol of development, investment and national progress
By Uzma Hashmi
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said Thar had undergone a remarkable transformation, moving from a drought-affected and neglected region into Pakistan’s largest energy and mining hub. He said the development of the area had demonstrated the power of investment, modern technology and responsible resource management.
Addressing the country’s first-ever Mining Technical Conference 2026 at a local hotel, the chief minister highlighted the importance of innovation and sustainable practices in expanding Pakistan’s mining sector. He said the future of the industry depended on balancing economic growth with environmental protection and the welfare of local communities.
Murad Ali Shah said the progress made in Thar coalfields had become a significant milestone for Sindh and Pakistan’s energy sector. He said two major mining projects, Thar Block-I and Block-II, had been playing a key role in meeting the country’s energy needs. The projects were producing more than 15 million tons of coal annually and supplying around 2,640 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, he added.
He said Sindh had taken an early lead in developing a modern mining framework through a public-private partnership model introduced in 2008. According to him, the approach had created the foundation for long-term investment and had helped turn Thar’s natural resources into a source of economic opportunity.
The chief minister said Thar contained estimated lignite reserves of nearly 175 billion tons, while only a small portion of the resource had so far been utilized. He said the vast reserves represented major opportunities for industrial expansion, employment generation and future investment.
Sindh chief minister said sustainable development, environmental responsibility and social welfare would remain key priorities for upcoming projects. “Natural resources create real value only when local communities experience improvements in their quality of life,” Murad Ali Shah said.
The chief minister said the success story of Thar was now being shared with stakeholders across the country as Pakistan explored new possibilities in the mining sector. He said the government’s focus would remain on promoting economic growth, creating jobs and ensuring that resource development contributed to wider social progress.
