Karachi (HRNW)- In a major step toward strengthening Pakistan’s indigenous energy sector, the 30th meeting of the Thar Coal and Energy Board (TCEB) was held in Karachi under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, where significant progress on mining expansion, rail and grid connectivity, tariff reforms, and new investment initiatives was reviewed to rapidly develop the Thar Coalfield into a national energy and industrial hub. Reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment, Murad Ali Shah said Sindh is determined to accelerate indigenous energy development, promote coal-based industrialization, and reduce dependence on imported fuels.
The meeting, held at the Chief Minister’s House, was attended by federal and provincial leaders, including Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Energy Owais Leghari, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar (via video link), along with provincial ministers and senior officials. The board reviewed progress on ongoing Thar Coal projects and approved key tariff-related matters while considering new investment proposals in mining, power generation, and downstream industrial activities.
Officials informed the meeting that SECMC Phase 3 is progressing on schedule and is expected to begin commercial operations in September 2026. The 105-kilometer Thar Railway Connectivity project linking Thar Coalfield to New Chhor is also making progress, with major procurement milestones achieved and over 58 percent of track work completed. Significant development has also been made on the 132 kV HESCO grid connectivity project for Thar Coal Blocks 1 and 2, which is expected to reduce mining electricity costs by nearly 60 percent and save approximately $9 million annually once operational.
The board also reviewed new investment proposals referred by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), including the Tharpak Energy and Industrialization Initiative and Giga Group’s Block-8 project, both focused on integrated mining, power generation, and downstream industrial expansion. Murad Ali Shah welcomed investor interest and emphasized that Thar Coal is not merely an energy project but a national economic opportunity that can transform Pakistan’s industrial future. He directed all stakeholders to remove implementation hurdles, speed up infrastructure development, and prioritize industrial diversification, including coal-to-fertilizer projects and export-oriented industries, stating that “Thar is at the heart of Sindh’s development vision and Pakistan’s energy future.”
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